How Much Does a CNA Make in South Carolina in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in South Carolina, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · South Carolina · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in South Carolina earns about $17.90 per hour ($37,220 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is about 12% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). South Carolina ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Despite the lower figure, the state employs a workforce of 21,760 certified nursing assistants, reflecting steady demand for the role across hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings.
How much does a CNA make in South Carolina?
CNA pay by career stage in South Carolina
| Career stage | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $30,460$14.64 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $34,960$16.81 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $37,220$17.90 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $39,690$19.08 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $44,760$21.52 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in South Carolina
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in South Carolina · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
CNA pay in South Carolina has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $22,670 a year; by 2025, that figure reached $37,220, a 64% rise. That matches the national decade increase of 64%, so South Carolina's CNAs have kept pace with the rest of the country even while trailing on the dollar amount. For someone starting as a CNA in South Carolina now, the trend line points upward, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.
CNA salary by city in South Carolina
Pay varies across South Carolina's metro areas. Spartanburg leads the state, with CNAs there typically earning $40,050 a year ($19.26 an hour), a figure that covers the full Spartanburg metro area. Charleston and Columbia also pay above the state figure, at $38,810 and $37,400. Florence sits at the bottom of the list, with typical pay of $35,400, a gap of $4,650 from Spartanburg. Cost of living plays a role in that spread: cities with higher pay often carry higher housing and everyday costs.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Carolina | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spartanburg | $40,050 | $19.26 | +8% | 1,630 |
| 2 | Concord metro incl. Gastonia | $39,430 | $18.96 | +6% | 13,580 |
| 3 | Charleston metro incl. North Charleston | $38,810 | $18.66 | +4% | 2,800 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island metro incl. Bluffton · Port Royal | $37,730 | $18.14 | +1% | 770 |
| 5 | Columbia | $37,400 | $17.98 | 0% | 5,420 |
| 6 | Greenville | $37,220 | $17.90 | 0% | 3,820 |
| 7 | Richmond County | $37,140 | $17.86 | 0% | 2,560 |
| 8 | Myrtle Beach metro incl. Conway · North Myrtle Beach | $36,520 | $17.56 | -2% | 820 |
| 9 | Sumter | $35,860 | $17.24 | -4% | 470 |
| 10 | Florence | $35,400 | $17.02 | -5% | 1,320 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Carolina typical pay $37,220
How South Carolina compares with nearby states
South Carolina's neighbors pay somewhat more. North Carolina's typical CNA pay is $38,460 a year, about 3% higher than South Carolina. Georgia comes in at $37,680, roughly 1% higher. A CNA certified in South Carolina can often test or transfer into a nearby state, so it helps to know how pay compares just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $37,220 | baseline |
| North Carolina | $38,460 | +3% |
| Georgia | $37,680 | +1% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Carolina a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in South Carolina earn less than in most states: typical pay is $37,220 a year, 12% below the national figure, ranking 45th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Carolina, about 9.4 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, South Carolina ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 64% over the past decade.
Summary
CNA pay in South Carolina currently stands at $17.90 an hour ($37,220 a year), up 64% over the past decade. Pay is lower than the national figure but has grown at the same pace. Anyone pursuing certification should check South Carolina's state registry page for licensing requirements, and look at city-level pages for local pay figures in Spartanburg, Charleston, Columbia, and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in South Carolina?
- A typical CNA in South Carolina earns **$17.90 an hour**, or about **$37,220 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $19.08 an hour, close to $39,690 a year, while entry-level positions typically start lower.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in South Carolina?
- Typical hourly pay for a CNA in South Carolina is **$17.90**, as of May 2025. Entry-level positions typically offer around $14.64 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $21.52 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in South Carolina?
- Entry-level positions in South Carolina typically offer around **$14.64 an hour** ($30,460 a year). As CNAs gain experience, pay tends to rise toward $16.81 an hour ($34,960 a year) and beyond, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- Which city in South Carolina pays CNAs the most?
- Spartanburg pays CNAs the most in South Carolina, with typical pay of **$40,050 a year** ($19.26 an hour). Charleston and Columbia also pay above the state figure, while Florence sits at the lower end, at $35,400 a year.
- Is CNA pay in South Carolina higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in South Carolina runs about **12% below** the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). South Carolina ranks 45th out of 51 states for CNA pay, though pay has grown at the same 64% pace as the national rate over the past decade.