salary$81,920 a year$39 an hour · median pay in the Columbia, SC area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$68,460per year
Top pay (top 10%)$108,210per year
Jobs in the area9,400people work this job
Can a registered nurse afford Columbia?
OK. Rent of $1,394 a month takes 20.4% of the median registered nurse salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Registered Nurse pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Columbia
Nurse PractitionerLicensed Practical NurseNursing AssistantMedical AssistantPharmacistPhysician AssistantDental HygienistElementary School TeacherSoftware DeveloperComputer Systems AnalystAccountantMarket Research AnalystOperations ManagerLawyer
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Columbia, SC?
The median pay for a registered nurse in the Columbia, SC area is $81,920 a year ($39 an hour). Most earn between $68,460 and $108,210.
Can a registered nurse afford to live in Columbia?
Typical rent of $1,394 a month takes 20.4% of the median registered nurse salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Columbia, SC metro area.