Registered Nurse Salary in Florence, SC: $85,480 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Florence, SC earns a median $85,480/year (≈ $41.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $98,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Florence, South Carolina, the registered nurse salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $85,480 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $102,730. The pay spectrum for registered nurses in this area varies widely, ranging from approximately $69,199 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $184,187 for experienced nurses and those in specialized roles (90th percentile). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights how shift differentials for working nights and weekends can significantly drive earnings for nurses in Florence, SC. Effectively, these factors create a robust environment for nursing professionals, addressing both the growing demand in healthcare and the value attributed to flexibility and specialized labor.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,199 | $33.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,480 | $41.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,522 | $63.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,187 | $88.56 |
Median Salary Position
16.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,988 (2026 est.). At $85,480, the local median is 16.79% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Florence Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Florence median: $85,480/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $85,996 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -16.79% less |
Registered Nurses in Florence, SC earn a median of $85,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.60% below the South Carolina state average of $85,996.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $85,480 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,380
2025 BLS Actual
$81,170
2026 Current Est.
$85,480
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,480 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 26.1% from $64,380 (2019) to $81,170 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,639 (39.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,199 – $70,410 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,410 – $85,480 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,480 – $132,522 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,522 – $184,187 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Florence
As of 2025 data projected to 2026, Florence has about 3,120 registered nurses actively employed, indicating a stable job market for aspiring professionals. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 86.774, the local purchasing power for nurses may be more favorable compared to many national averages. Among the best employers in the region are hospital systems, which typically offer competitive wages along with specialty differentials for high-stress areas like the ICU and emergency departments. Factors like charge nurse responsibilities and magnet status enhance compensation in these settings. To maximize registered nurse pay in Florence, SC, professionals should consider pursuing specialty certifications, particularly from organizations like the AACN or ENA, and actively seek assignments that offer night and weekend differentials. Investing in ongoing education and strategically targeting high-paying roles will ultimately contribute to better overall earnings in a market where both experience and specialty training command higher wages.
More salary data for Florence, 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
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 $81,170 for registered nursesin the Florence metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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
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