Licensed Practical Nurse in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
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South Carolina employs 9,400 LVNs, with a statewide median of $61,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)
- South Carolina median pay
- $61,820 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $50,370
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $71,220
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $76,420
- Employed in South Carolina
- 9,400
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major South Carolina markets:
- Charlotte
- $65,140 (3,890 employed)
- Charleston
- $64,100 (1,480 employed)
- Augusta
- $63,760 (1,220 employed)
- Spartanburg
- $63,390 (430 employed)
- Columbia
- $62,110 (1,600 employed)
- Greenville
- $61,960 (1,680 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina
Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,820 median stretches to roughly $65,977 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)
South Carolina is projected to grow LVNs employment +6.8%, faster than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 760 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
South Carolina License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR).
- Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at an SC technical college).
- Apply to the Board and clear a background check.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so the license can work across compact states.
Official requirements: South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR) →
Training in South Carolina
Affordable, fast paid-healthcare entry via SC technical colleges. Check NCLEX-PN pass rates before enrolling.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:
- Academy for Careers and Technology — Certificate
- Aiken Technical College — Certificate
- Central Carolina Technical College — Certificate
- Denmark Technical College — Certificate
Where LVNs Work in South Carolina
Real South Carolina nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- L.m.c.- Extended Care — Lexington
- C M Tucker Jr Nursing Care Center Roddey Pavilion — Columbia
- Nhc Healthcare - Anderson — Anderson
- C M Tucker Jr Nursing Care Center Fewell and Stone — Columbia
- Richard M Campbell Veterans Nursing Home — Anderson
- Veterans Victory House — Walterboro
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want a faster healthcare entry point and can handle direct care.
Think twice if: Bodily fluids, shift work, emotional stress, or physical lifting are dealbreakers.
Why it's resilient: Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
First Steps
Compare state-approved LPN programs and NCLEX-PN pass rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do LVNs make in South Carolina?
The median wage for LVNs in South Carolina is $61,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,370, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $76,420. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in South Carolina?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), overseen by the South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR). Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at an SC technical college).
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in South Carolina?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which South Carolina metros pay LVNs the most?
Among South Carolina metro areas, Charlotte leads at $65,140, followed by Charleston ($64,100), Augusta ($63,760). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in South Carolina?
Real South Carolina options include Academy for Careers and Technology, Aiken Technical College, Central Carolina Technical College. Most LVNs start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career in South Carolina?
South Carolina projects LVNs employment to change +6.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 760 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Carolina wages · South Carolina licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.