How Much Does an NP Make in South Carolina in 2026?
Typical pay for NPs 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 NP in South Carolina earns about $59.28 per hour ($123,290 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $10,274 a month and $2,371 a week, calculated from the annual figure.
South Carolina's typical NP pay sits about 7% below the national figure of $132,300 a year ($63.61 an hour nationally), according to the same data. That places the state 48th out of 51 states and D.C. for NP pay. Roughly 5,670 NPs work across South Carolina, compared with 323,040 nationwide.
NP pay in South Carolina at a glance
- Typical NP pay in South Carolina runs about $59.28 an hour ($123,290 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That's about 7% below the national figure of $132,300 a year, ranking South Carolina 48th among 51 states and D.C.
- Concord tops the state's pay list at $130,310 a year, about 6% above the statewide figure.
- Entry-level NPs typically start around $97,080 a year, while the top 10% make over $160,170.
- South Carolina's typical NP pay has climbed 36% over the past decade, from $90,600 in 2015 to $123,290 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an NP make in South Carolina?
NP pay by career stage in South Carolina
| Career stage | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $97,080$46.67 an hour | $101,340$48.72 an hour |
| First years | $107,930$51.89 an hour | $117,990$56.73 an hour |
| Typical NP | $123,290$59.28 an hour | $132,300$63.61 an hour |
| Experienced | $132,220$63.57 an hour | $156,700$75.34 an hour |
| Top 10% | $160,170$77.01 an hour | $174,420$83.86 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
NP pay by experience level in South Carolina
Entry-level positions in South Carolina typically offer around $46.67 an hour ($97,080 a year). Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $123,290 within the first few years on the job. New NPs in hospital or urgent-care settings often start near this range before moving into specialty or independent practice roles.
Experienced NPs in South Carolina often earn upwards of $132,220 a year, or $63.57 an hour, and the top 10% make over $160,170 a year, or $77.01 an hour. That's a spread of $63,090 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual NP lands within that range.
NP pay growth in South Carolina
Typical (median) annual wage for NPs in South Carolina · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
South Carolina's typical NP pay rose from $90,600 in 2015 to $123,290 in 2025. That's a gain of $32,690 over the decade, according to the same government wage data. In percentage terms, pay climbed 36% over that ten-year span.
Nationally, NP pay rose 35% over the same ten years, keeping South Carolina's climb roughly in step with the national trend. Pay for NPs in South Carolina has moved up steadily over the past decade. Someone starting now can expect a role that pays more than it did ten years ago, though nothing about future pay is guaranteed.
NP salary by city in South Carolina
Pay runs highest in Concord, where NPs typically earn $130,310 a year, about 6% above the statewide figure. Charleston and North Charleston follow closely, with typical pay of $127,780 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center itself.
Sumter pays the least among South Carolina's metro areas, at $112,080 a year, a spread of $18,230 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Concord also holds the largest NP workforce in the state, with 1,970 positions. Cities with higher pay typically carry higher living costs, so the gap in real terms is often smaller than the raw numbers suggest.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs South Carolina | NPs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord metro incl. Gastonia | $130,310 | $62.65 | +6% | 1,970 |
| 2 | Charleston metro incl. North Charleston | $127,780 | $61.43 | +4% | 1,050 |
| 3 | Florence | $121,930 | $58.62 | -1% | 270 |
| 4 | Myrtle Beach metro incl. Conway · North Myrtle Beach | $121,390 | $58.36 | -2% | 260 |
| 5 | Spartanburg | $121,120 | $58.23 | -2% | 260 |
| 6 | Richmond County | $120,270 | $57.82 | -2% | 500 |
| 7 | Greenville | $119,280 | $57.35 | -3% | 1,120 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island metro incl. Bluffton · Port Royal | $119,130 | $57.28 | -3% | 260 |
| 9 | Columbia | $118,470 | $56.96 | -4% | 920 |
| 10 | Sumter | $112,080 | $53.89 | -9% | 80 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · South Carolina typical pay $123,290
How South Carolina compares with nearby states
South Carolina's neighbors pay somewhat more. Georgia's NPs typically earn $129,430 a year, about 5% above South Carolina's figure, and North Carolina sits close behind at $128,990 a year, also about 5% higher. Both differences are modest rather than dramatic. NP licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, so these figures are worth weighing for anyone considering a move nearby.
| State | Typical pay | Vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $123,290 | baseline |
| Georgia | $129,430 | +5% |
| North Carolina | $128,990 | +5% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical NP pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is South Carolina a good state for NPs?
NPs in South Carolina earn less than in most states: typical pay is $123,290 a year, 7% below the national figure, ranking 48th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in South Carolina, about 2.5 are NP positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.1. That makes the local economy more reliant on NPs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: NPs make up a larger share of South Carolina's workforce than in most states.
Summary
A typical NP in South Carolina earns $123,290 a year, up 36% over the past decade from $90,600 in 2015. That pay sits below the national figure but has kept pace with the national rate of increase. Anyone weighing an NP role in South Carolina can check the state licensing or registry page for requirements and the city pages for local pay figures before deciding where to practice.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an NP make in South Carolina?
- A typical NP in South Carolina earns about $59.28 an hour, or $123,290 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That figure sits roughly 7% below the national typical pay of $132,300 a year for the same role.
- How much does an NP make an hour in South Carolina?
- NPs in South Carolina typically earn $59.28 an hour, according to May 2025 government wage data. Hourly pay ranges from around $46.67 for entry-level positions to over $77.01 for the top 10% of earners.
- What is the starting pay for an NP in South Carolina?
- Entry-level NPs in South Carolina typically start around $46.67 an hour, or about $97,080 a year. Pay tends to rise toward the statewide typical figure of $123,290 a year within the first few years of experience.
- Which city in South Carolina pays NPs the most?
- Concord pays NPs the most in South Carolina, with typical pay of $130,310 a year, about 6% above the statewide figure. Charleston and North Charleston follow at $127,780 a year, while Sumter pays the least at $112,080 a year.
- Is NP pay in South Carolina higher than the national rate?
- No. NP pay in South Carolina runs about 7% below the national typical figure of $132,300 a year, ranking the state 48th out of 51 states and D.C. Lower pay in South Carolina generally tracks a lower cost of living.