Registered Nurses in South Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of $79,900 in 2024. That sits about 15% below the US median of $94,511, one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation.
The spread between low and high earners is real but not dramatic. A nurse at the 10th percentile earned $64,200, while one at the 90th earned $102,040. Top earners make roughly 1.6 times what entry-level peers make. That range reflects the usual mix of experience, specialty, and work setting rather than anything unusual about South Carolina in particular.
South Carolina's cost of living runs slightly below the national average. The BEA regional price index comes in at 96.6, meaning everyday expenses are about 3.4% cheaper than the US baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective gap between South Carolina and the national median narrows from 15% to closer to 12%. The wages look more competitive once you factor in what they actually buy.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. With 50,300 nurses currently employed in the state, that pace still points to several thousand additional positions opening over the decade, on top of openings from retirements and turnover.
Salary distribution
Where South Carolina registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,320 and $97,230, with a median of $82,360.
Registered Nurses in South Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 46 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $79,539. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $79,040 |
| Level II — qualified | 30 | $83,200 |
| Level III — experienced | 15 | $68,078 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in South Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC. | PERIOPERATIVE MEDICAL & SURGICAL NURSE SPECIALIST | 21 | $83,200 |
| Medical University Hospital Authority | Registered Nurse - II | 16 | $68,078 |
| CARNEGIE HEALTH & LIFE SCIENCES INC | CRITICAL CARE UNIT NURSE SPECIALIST-TELEMETRY | 5 | $74,880 |
| NuForce, LLC | ICU Registered Nurse | 3 | $83,200 |
| NUFORCE, LLC | ICU Registered Nurse | 1 | $83,200 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- ICU Registered Nurse at NuForce, LLC$79,622FlorenceWage Level IIDecided —I-200-26084-729868
- PERIOPERATIVE MEDICAL & SURGICAL NURSE SPECIALIST at CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC.$83,200LANCASTERWage Level IIDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-725602
- ICU Registered Nurse at Medical University Hospital Authority$79,622FlorenceWage Level IIDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-726011
- ICU Registered Nurse at NUFORCE, LLC$83,200FLORENCEWage Level IIDecided Mar 30, 2026I-201-26082-722772
- PERIOPERATIVE MEDICAL & SURGICAL NURSE SPECIALIST at CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC.$83,200LANCASTERWage Level IIDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26044-641231
- PERIOPERATIVE MEDICAL & SURGICAL NURSE SPECIALIST at CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC.$83,200LANCASTERWage Level IIDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26044-641225
- ICU Registered Nurse at NuForce, LLC$83,200FlorenceWage Level IIDecided Feb 17, 2026I-201-26040-628160
- EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE SPECIALIST at CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC.$83,200CHESTERWage Level IIDecided Feb 2, 2026I-200-26026-591623
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in South Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in South Carolina
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 39 certified offers. The most common variant is Registered Nurse at a median of $68,078.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | Medical University Hospital Authority | 16 | $68,078 |
| PERIOPERATIVE MEDICAL & SURGICAL NURSE SPECIALIST | CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC. | 13 | $83,200 |
| EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE SPECIALIST | CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC. | 6 | $83,200 |
| ICU Registered Nurse | NuForce, LLC | 4 | $81,411 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Registered Nurses in South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 46 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $83,200.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | CARNEGIE HEALTH AND LIFE SCIENCES INC. | 30 | $83,200 |
| Healthcare | Medical University Hospital Authority | 16 | $68,078 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in South Carolina is $82,360.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The South Carolina median is -16.2% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $66,860 and the 90th-percentile at $106,520, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.