Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Registered Nurses currently employed in Columbia is 8,640.
  • Registered Nurses in Columbia earn an average of $69,350 per year or $33.34 per hour.
  • The percentage of South Carolina Registered Nurses who work in Columbia is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Registered Nurses who work in Columbia is less than 1%.

Rankings for Columbia

  • Ranks #3 in South Carolina for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #2 in South Carolina for the number of nurses employed.
  • Ranks #317 in the nation for salary and #309 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #70 in the nation for the number of nurses employed.

Compared to South Carolina

Columbia Registered Nurses earn an average of $69,350 or $33.34 per hour which is almost same as South Carolina average salary of $69,580.

AverageColumbiaSouth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$33.34$33.45-0.33%
Annual Salary$69,350$69,580-0.33%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Columbia Registered Nurses earn an average of $69,350 or $33.34 per hour which is 16% less than the U.S. average salary of $82,750.

AverageColumbiaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$33.34$39.78-16.19%
Annual Salary$69,350$82,750-16.19%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Registered Nurses in Columbia earns an average annual salary of $75,950 which compares to the South Carolina average annual salary of $69,580. per year.

Cost-of-living in Columbia is 9% less than the South Carolina average, which means Columbia residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to South Carolina average.

  • South Carolina average salary is $69,580.
  • South Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $75,919.
  • Columbia average salary is $69,350.
  • Columbia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $75,950.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Columbia$69,35091.31%$75,950
South Carolina$69,58091.65%$75,919
U.S.$82,750$82,750
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Columbia, 50% of Registered Nurses earn between $59,640 and $76,480 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Registered Nurses earn more than $85,110, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Registered Nurses.

Approximately 10% of Registered Nurses earn under $47,850, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Registered Nurses.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year864Under $47,850
15%2 – 4 years1,296$47,850 – $59,640
25%5 – 9 years2,160$59,640 – $74,930
25%10 – 14 years2,160$74,930 – $76,480
15%15 – 20 years1,296$74,930 – $85,110
10%20+ years864Above $85,110
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $69,350, Columbia Registered Nurses tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($208,840), and Nurse Practitioners ($101,300).

However, Registered Nurses tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($29,650), and LPNs ($46,410).

TitleAnnual Salary
Nurse Anesthetists$208,840
Nurse Practitioners$101,300
Registered Nurses$69,350
LPNs$46,410
Nursing Assistants$29,650
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Columbia Registered Nurses

The number of Registered Nurses currently employed in Columbia is 8,640.

Registered Nurses earn an average of $69,350 per year or $33.34 per hour in Columbia.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Columbia Registered Nurses earn an average of $75,950 per year or $37 per hour.

The types of nurses that are paid the highest annual salary in Columbia are Nurse Anesthetists($208,840), Nurse Practitioners($101,300), Registered Nurses($69,350).


Additional Salary Reports for Registered Nurses in South Carolina cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Registered Nurses: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data