Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Hilton Head Island, SC: $41.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Hilton Head Island, SC runs $41.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Hilton Head Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.0, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,440 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the registered nurse hourly pay stands at $41.22, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $49.39. This discrepancy can impact potential earnings for part-time nurses, especially those working three days a week. With the hourly rate in mind, a registered nurse in Hilton Head Island can earn between $32.50 for entry-level positions and up to $49.41 for top earners, depending on their experience, specialty, and work environment. Common settings for registered nurses include hospital floors, emergency departments, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, and home health. The hourly rates are derived from the latest data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the prevailing wage trends for this essential profession.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.50 | $259.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.02 | $272.12 |
| Median (P50) | $41.22 | $329.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.66 | $381.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.41 | $395.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hilton Head Island
Based on $41.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.22/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hilton Head Island, SC can expect to earn approximately $85,734 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,462. With a cost-of-living index of 98.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hilton Head Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hilton Head Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,648.73 | $7,145 | $85,734 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $989.24 | $4,287 | $51,440 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $659.49 | $2,858 | $34,294 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Hilton Head Island) | $41.22 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $85,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.56% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.30% below the South Carolina state average of $85,980.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.22/hr = $51,440/year (purchasing power: $52,481).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,734/year (purchasing power: $87,469).
CoL index: 98.017 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Hilton Head Island grew 21.7% from $32.15/hr (2019) to $39.14/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Hilton Head Island
Looking at part-time opportunities, a registered nurse working 24 hours per week has the potential to earn about $51,164 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart but offering more flexibility. Per diem registered nurses often enjoy higher hourly pay rates, ranging anywhere from $50 to $80, particularly based on their area of specialty. Additionally, travel nursing can present lucrative contracts due to high demand, with earnings that can reach between $2,000 and $4,500 weekly, and even higher rates for critical care roles in shortage markets. Employers vary widely in Hilton Head Island, encompassing hospital systems, surgical centers, and home health agencies, each presenting different pay scales. Nurses may face a decision between reduced hourly rates with benefits or higher pay without. For those in the field, negotiating skillfully is vital; it may be more beneficial to seek flexibility and benefits depending on personal career goals and financial needs.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Hilton Head Island. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov