Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in South Carolina: $65,697 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $65,697/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,800 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($65,467), Hilton Head Island ($64,270), Charleston ($64,100).
In South Carolina, licensed practical nurse salaries reflect regional dynamics and healthcare demand. The average median salary for LPNs in the state is projected at $65,698 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $68,071, marking a difference of 3.5%. The salary variation across cities is significant, with North Charleston leading at $69,199 and Clemson at the lower end with $60,713, creating a gap of $8,486. Factors influencing this disparity include the cost of living, local healthcare facility demand, and population demographics. The state's licensing requirements are straightforward, with LPNs required to complete an approved training program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. South Carolina's scope of practice laws allow LPNs to provide essential nursing care, contributing to a steady demand for their services. The job market for LPNs shows positive growth potential, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.70% according to 2025 BLS data. Key cities projected to see higher salaries for LPNs include Hilton Head Island at $67,933, Charleston at $67,754, Greer at $67,071, and Spartanburg at $67,003. This outlook signifies a favorable environment for those entering the LPN field in South Carolina.
South Carolina Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $48,696 (lowest entry-level) to $89,288 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina licensed practical nurses earn 3.49% less than the national median ($-2,374/year difference).
South Carolina Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in South Carolina range from $53,389 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,151 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,697. The South Carolina median is $2,374 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.59/hr. Approximately 7,011 licensed practical nurses are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,054
2025 BLS Actual
$62,155
2026 Current Est.
$65,697
2019–2027 Growth
+61.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,166 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,852 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,634 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,155 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,697 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,442 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 44.4% from $43,054 (2019) to $62,155 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,442 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,388 (61.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $69,199 | 91.5 | $75,627 |
| Sumter | $66,210 | 88.02 | $75,222 |
| Spartanburg | $67,003 | 91.051 | $73,588 |
| Greer | $67,071 | 91.5 | $73,302 |
| Anderson | $67,003 | 91.5 | $73,227 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,389 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,697 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,151 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $69,199 |
| 2 | Hilton Head Island | $67,933 |
| 3 | Charleston | $67,754 |
| 4 | Greer | $67,071 |
| 5 | Spartanburg | $67,003 |
| 6 | Anderson | $67,003 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant | $66,898 |
| 8 | Bluffton | $66,643 |
| 9 | Sumter | $66,210 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $65,665 |
| 11 | Columbia | $65,650 |
| 12 | Greenville | $65,492 |
| 13 | Aiken | $65,378 |
| 14 | Hanahan | $65,286 |
| 15 | Mauldin | $64,902 |
| 16 | Summerville | $64,553 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $63,489 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $63,459 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $63,310 |
| 20 | Florence | $63,103 |
| 21 | Myrtle Beach | $62,289 |
| 22 | Lexington | $62,274 |
| 23 | Easley | $61,164 |
| 24 | Conway | $61,140 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $60,827 |
| 26 | Clemson | $60,713 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in South Carolina?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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