Registered Nurse Salary in Columbia, SC — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Columbia's cost of living (index: 89). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Columbia — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Columbia
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Columbia
Columbia has a metro population of 840,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.7% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Columbia
Other Professions in Columbia
Registered Nurse Salary — Other South Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Columbia, SC?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Columbia is $76,602 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Columbia's cost of living index (89). The typical salary range runs from $61,312 (25th percentile) to $95,844 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $118,085.
Is Columbia affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $76,602 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Columbia would spend approximately 16.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,050/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Columbia relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $230,000 is 3.0× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Columbia's overall income?
Columbia's median household income is $55,200. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $76,602 earns 38.8% more than the typical Columbia household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.