Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in North Charleston, SC: $69,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in North Charleston, SC earns a median $69,199/year (≈ $33.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $75,627 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurse salaries in North Charleston, SC, center around a median compensation of $69,199, which outpaces the national median of $68,071 by 1.66%. The salary range for these healthcare professionals extends from $49,989 at the lower tenth percentile to $89,288 at the upper ninetieth percentile, underscoring the diverse earning potential available in the local job market. These figures represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, reflecting the importance of shift differentials and weekend premiums that can significantly enhance long-term care compensation in this area. Given the demand for practical nursing roles, this competitive pay structure underlines the opportunities for LPNs aiming to advance their careers in North Charleston.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,989 | $24.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,755 | $31.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,199 | $33.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,532 | $39.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,288 | $42.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,299 (2026 est.). At $69,199, the local median is 1.66% above the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Charleston Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $69,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $65,903 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | +1.66% more |
Licensed Practical Nurses in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $69,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.66% higher than the national median of $68,071 and 5.00% above the South Carolina state average of $65,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $69,199 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,627 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,267
2025 BLS Actual
$65,467
2026 Current Est.
$69,199
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,267 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,866 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,467 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $48,267 (2019) to $65,467 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,876 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,989 – $64,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,755 – $69,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,199 – $81,532 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,532 – $89,288 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in North Charleston
With 22 licensed practical nurses currently employed in North Charleston, the local market suggests a healthy demand for LPNs, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, where pay is often higher than in home health agencies or physician offices. The cost of living index in this area stands at 91.5, meaning that while salaries are competitive, the overall cost of living is slightly below average, enhancing purchasing power relative to income. Employers in skilled nursing and long-term care sectors tend to offer the most lucrative positions due to factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and additional compensation for working weekends or holidays. To maximize earnings, aspiring LPNs should consider specializing in areas with higher demand, such as long-term care or hospice, and seek opportunities that provide shift bonuses or charge pay. Those pursuing LPN-to-RN bridge programs may further enhance their career trajectory in North Charleston's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,467 for licensed practical nursesin the North Charleston metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for North Charleston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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