Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $32.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Charleston, SC runs $32.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,656 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Charleston, South Carolina, offers a competitive licensed practical nurse hourly pay of $32.58, slightly below the national median of $32.73. This rate serves as a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem opportunities across various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and correctional facility infirmaries. For those working part-time, consistent shifts of three days a week could yield approximately $1,860 monthly, allowing for flexibility while still earning a significant hourly wage. In Charleston's job market, LPNs see an hourly rate ranging from $25.01 for entry-level positions to $38.80 for top earners, all according to the latest projections from BLS data. This variety makes the profession attractive to many individuals seeking employment in the healthcare sector.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.01 | $200.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.61 | $244.89 |
| Median (P50) | $32.58 | $260.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.12 | $296.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.80 | $310.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $32.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.58/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $67,760 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,092. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,303.07 | $5,647 | $67,760 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $781.84 | $3,388 | $40,656 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.23 | $2,259 | $27,104 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Charleston) | $32.58 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Charleston, SC earn a median of $67,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.47% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 2.80% above the South Carolina state average of $65,908.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.58/hr = $40,656/year (purchasing power: $40,268).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,760/year (purchasing power: $67,114).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Charleston grew 37.4% from $22.43/hr (2019) to $30.82/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Charleston
For part-time licensed practical nurses in Charleston, taking on a schedule of 24 hours weekly can bring in a tangible annual income, albeit less than that of full-time colleagues. Part-time LPNs may find themselves earning less overall compared to full-timers, but the option to pursue agency or per-diem positions can significantly boost their pay. Since per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Charleston can vary widely, with rates ranging from $28 to $42 per hour depending on the facility's needs, there remains potential for increased earnings. In certain cases, agency LPNs working in understaffed environments can command as much as $45 to $60 per hour. This creates a compelling dilemma regarding hourly earnings versus benefits, as some LPNs may opt for jobs with lower hourly compensation that include health insurance. Understanding the various employers' pay structures—whether in long-term care, home health agencies, or assisted living communities—is essential for successful negotiation, as achieving the best rate often requires knowledge of local market demands and the specific budget constraints faced by different facilities.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Charleston in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov