Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in South Carolina
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in South Carolina earn a median of $61,820 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,420 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $64,400. South Carolina ranks 38th of 51 states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses pay. There are 4.1 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| 25th percentile | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $71,220 | $34.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Average (mean) | $63,170 | $30.37 |
Half of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.69 |
| Weekly | $1,188.85 |
| Hourly | $29.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,140 | 3,890 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $64,270 | 250 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $64,100 | 1,480 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $63,760 | 1,220 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $63,390 | 430 |
| Sumter, SC | $62,640 | 160 |
| Columbia, SC | $62,110 | 1,600 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $61,960 | 1,680 |
| Florence, SC | $59,700 | 680 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $58,930 | 590 |
Highest-paying states for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $83,150 |
| Alaska | $80,800 |
| Oregon | $80,470 |
| Massachusetts | $80,220 |
| Rhode Island | $80,090 |
| California | $79,750 |
| New Hampshire | $77,110 |
| Arizona | $77,070 |
| Nevada | $76,160 |
| District of Columbia | $75,740 |
See Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $42,120 | $20.25 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,280 | $26.10 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,160 | $29.89 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Paramedic | $53,550 | $25.74 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $83,290 | $40.04 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in South Carolina?
The median salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Carolina is $61,820 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Carolina earn at least $76,420 a year. The top 25% earn $71,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,370 a year, and a quarter of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn $57,390 or less.
How many licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in South Carolina?
About 9,400 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.