Registered Nurses Salary in Columbia, SC

In Columbia, SC, registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $80,100 and a median hourly wage of $38.51. This is below the national median for registered nurses, which stands at $93,600. When comparing this to local household income in Columbia, the typical nurse's earnings are significantly higher than the area's median household income of $66,146. This indicates that nursing professionals generally have a strong earning potential relative to other occupations within the community. Despite the disparity between local and national salary figures for nurses, employment prospects remain promising with an estimated 9,800 registered nurses in the region, alongside a relatively low local unemployment rate of 4.00%.

Entry-level registered nurses in Columbia typically earn around $64,890 annually, which corresponds to the 10th percentile, while those at the 25th percentile earn about $75,460. In contrast, more experienced registered nurses earning near the 75th percentile can expect salaries up to approximately $96,140 per year, with top earners at the 90th percentile reaching around $104,390 annually. The differences in earnings between entry-level and experienced nurses are driven by factors such as years of experience, specialized skills or certifications, educational background (e.g., advanced degrees), and the healthcare setting in which they work. Hospitals typically offer higher salaries compared to outpatient care centers, reflecting the complexity and demand associated with different nursing roles.