Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of LPNs currently employed in Columbia is 1,970.
  • LPNs in Columbia earn an average of $46,410 per year or $22.31 per hour.
  • The percentage of South Carolina LPNs who work in Columbia is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. LPNs who work in Columbia is less than 1%.

Rankings for Columbia

  • Ranks #4 in South Carolina for salary and #4 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in South Carolina for the number of nurses employed.
  • Ranks #339 in the nation for salary and #309 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #65 in the nation for the number of nurses employed.

Compared to South Carolina

Columbia LPNs earn an average of $46,410 or $22.31 per hour which is almost same as South Carolina average salary of $46,470.

AverageColumbiaSouth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$22.31$22.34-0.13%
Annual Salary$46,410$46,470-0.13%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Columbia LPNs earn an average of $46,410 or $22.31 per hour which is 10% less than the U.S. average salary of $51,850.

AverageColumbiaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$22.31$24.93-10.51%
Annual Salary$46,410$51,850-10.49%
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, LPNs in Columbia earns an average annual salary of $50,827 which compares to the South Carolina average annual salary of $46,470. 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 $46,470.
  • South Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $50,704.
  • Columbia average salary is $46,410.
  • Columbia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $50,827.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Columbia$46,41091.31%$50,827
South Carolina$46,47091.65%$50,704
U.S.$51,850$51,850
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Columbia, 50% of LPNs earn between $44,550 and $48,070 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of LPNs earn more than $58,570, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated LPNs.

Approximately 10% of LPNs earn under $36,750, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level LPNs.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year197Under $36,750
15%2 – 4 years296$36,750 – $44,550
25%5 – 9 years492$44,550 – $46,940
25%10 – 14 years492$46,940 – $48,070
15%15 – 20 years296$46,940 – $58,570
10%20+ years197Above $58,570
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 $46,410, Columbia LPNs tend to earn less than Nurse Anesthetists ($208,840), Nurse Practitioners ($101,300), and Registered Nurses ($69,350).

However, LPNs tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($29,650).

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 LPNs

The number of LPNs currently employed in Columbia is 1,970.

LPNs earn an average of $46,410 per year or $22.31 per hour in Columbia.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Columbia LPNs earn an average of $50,827 per year or $24 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 LPNs in South Carolina cities and Metros and U.S. States.

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