Registered Nurse salary in Columbia, SC
Registered Nurses in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $81,920 a year ($39.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,210 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $82,360. There are 24 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,460 | $32.91 |
| 25th percentile | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| Median | $81,920 | $39.39 |
| 75th percentile | $96,190 | $46.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,210 | $52.03 |
| Average (mean) | $88,030 | $42.32 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,826.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,413.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,150.77 |
| Weekly | $1,575.38 |
| Hourly | $39.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $92,800 | 9,760 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $90,620 | 27,010 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $87,760 | 6,880 |
| Sumter, SC | $86,260 | 670 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $82,360 | 4,440 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $81,400 | 9,730 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $81,400 | 1,410 |
| Florence, SC | $81,170 | 3,120 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $80,640 | 3,150 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,850 | $64.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $374,300 | $179.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Dentists, General | $228,820 | $110.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,840 | $55.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,820 | $42.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,650 | $49.35 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,350 | $130.46 |
| Veterinarian | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Chiropractor | $74,090 | $35.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Columbia, SC metro area is $81,920 a year, or $39.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $108,210 a year. The top 25% earn $96,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,460 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $75,940 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Columbia, SC?
About 9,400 registered nurses are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.