ICU Nurse salary in South Carolina
A icu nurse in South Carolina earns an estimated $92,250 a year ($44.35/hr) — about 12% below the U.S. average, with most between $74,900 and $99,330. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
ICU Nurse — South Carolina
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$92,250
-12% vs nationalHourly
$44.35/hr
- Typical range
- $74,900–$99,330
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $133,370
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $65,080
- Newer nurses
ICU Nurse pay by city in South Carolina
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $92,250 | $44.35 |
| Charleston | $93,300 | $44.86 |
ICU Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How South Carolina compares to states with similar icu nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in South Carolina
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects icu nurse pay in South Carolina
Pay below the national median. For a icu nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The South Carolina figure adjusts the national RN average of $104,830 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.88× (about 12% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official South Carolina wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for South Carolina, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in South Carolina make this page more precise over time.
ICU Nurse salary in South Carolina — FAQ
- How much does a icu nurse make in South Carolina?
- A icu nurse in South Carolina earns an estimated $92,250 a year — about $44.35 an hour, with most between $74,900 and $99,330. That's about 12% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and South Carolina's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is South Carolina a good state for icu nurses?
- For pay, South Carolina sits about 12% below the national average for icu nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $92,250 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in South Carolina pays icu nurses the most?
- Among South Carolina metros we track, Charleston tends to have the highest estimated pay for icu nurses, at roughly $93,300 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does South Carolina icu nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a icu nurse is about $104,830 a year, versus an estimated $92,250 in South Carolina — about 12% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
South Carolina figures for SOC 29-1141 are modeled by applying a state wage index of 0.88 to the BLS national median. Import official OEWS state files to replace with verified figures.
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national icu nurse pay adjusted for South Carolina. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.