Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $63.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Charleston, SC runs $63.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $62.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,310 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse practitioners in Charleston, South Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $63.55, which is slightly below the national median of $65.80. This rate plays a significant role for part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, allowing for a flexible schedule while still providing a competitive income. The hourly pay also presents opportunities for per-diem positions across various settings, including primary care exam rooms, hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care facilities, retail clinics, psychiatric medication management offices, and telehealth services. The hourly earnings range from $51.32 for entry-level positions to as high as $78.17 for top earners, showcasing diverse compensation based on experience and specialty within Charleston’s healthcare market. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.32 | $410.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58.43 | $467.43 |
| Median (P50) | $63.55 | $508.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.17 | $529.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.17 | $625.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $63.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.55/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $132,183 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,259. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,541.97 | $11,015 | $132,183 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,525.18 | $6,609 | $79,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,016.79 | $4,406 | $52,873 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Charleston) | $63.55 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Charleston, SC earn a median of $132,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.42% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 6.30% above the South Carolina state average of $124,354.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.55/hr = $79,310/year (purchasing power: $78,554).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,183/year (purchasing power: $130,923).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Charleston grew 26.8% from $48.45/hr (2019) to $61.43/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.74/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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 3.45% 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 Nurse Practitioner in Charleston
Considering the financial implications of working as a part-time nurse practitioner in Charleston reveals interesting earning potential. A nurse practitioner working just three days a week, or 24 hours, would gross approximately $78,982 annually, a considerable amount when compared to full-time earnings. Per diem roles have the potential for even higher compensation; locum tenens nurse practitioners can bill between $80 and $140 an hour, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) in telehealth can reach rates of $150 to $200 per hour for asynchronous medication management encounters. Hourly rates can significantly vary based on employer type, with consistent trends noticeable across hospital outpatient clinics, primary care practices, urgent care chains, retail clinics, and telehealth platforms. While some nurse practitioners may choose lower hourly pay for positions that include health insurance and benefits, others may negotiate higher rates when opting for 1099 contract work. Those looking to solidify hourly agreements in Charleston might consider highlighting their specialties, experience, and flexibility to maximize their earnings.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse practitioners make in Charleston?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
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 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Charleston. 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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov