Licensed Practical Nurse salary in South Carolina
A licensed practical nurse in South Carolina earns an estimated $56,670 a year ($27.25/hr) — about 12% below the U.S. average, with most between $51,920 and $66,910. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Licensed Practical Nurse — South Carolina
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$56,670
-12% vs nationalHourly
$27.25/hr
- Typical range
- $51,920–$66,910
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $73,430
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $43,770
- Newer nurses
Licensed Practical Nurse pay by city in South Carolina
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Charleston | $57,320 | $27.56 |
Licensed Practical Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How South Carolina compares to states with similar licensed practical nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in South Carolina
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects licensed practical nurse pay in South Carolina
Pay below the national median. For a licensed practical nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The South Carolina figure adjusts the national RN average of $64,400 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.88× (about 12% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official South Carolina wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for South Carolina, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in South Carolina make this page more precise over time.
Licensed Practical Nurse salary in South Carolina — FAQ
- How much does a licensed practical nurse make in South Carolina?
- A licensed practical nurse in South Carolina earns an estimated $56,670 a year — about $27.25 an hour, with most between $51,920 and $66,910. That's about 12% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and South Carolina's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is South Carolina a good state for licensed practical nurses?
- For pay, South Carolina sits about 12% below the national average for licensed practical nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $56,670 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in South Carolina pays licensed practical nurses the most?
- Among South Carolina metros we track, Charleston tends to have the highest estimated pay for licensed practical nurses, at roughly $57,320 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does South Carolina licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a licensed practical nurse is about $64,400 a year, versus an estimated $56,670 in South Carolina — about 12% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
South Carolina figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.88×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national licensed practical nurse pay adjusted for South Carolina. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.