Nurse Practitioner Pay

Anderson vs Charleston: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Anderson, SC and Charleston, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anderson, SC
$126,243
$60.69/hr
Charleston, SC
$132,188
$63.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnderson, SCCharleston, SC
Median Salary$126,243$132,188
Hourly Rate$60.69$63.55
Entry Level (P10)$99,766$106,760
25th Percentile$113,411$121,533
75th Percentile$145,792$137,640
Top Earner (P90)$158,121$162,592
Total Employed51,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anderson ($126,243) and Charleston ($132,188) nurse practitioner salaries.AndersonCharlestonMedian Salary$126,243$132,188Entry Level (P10)$99,766$106,760Top Earner (P90)$158,121$162,592US Median $136,864

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Anderson.

The salary gap between Anderson and Charleston is $5,945 (4.71%). Charleston's median is -3.42% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anderson spans $58,355,Charleston spans $55,832. Anderson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anderson
P10 (Entry)$99,766
P25$113,411
Median$126,243
P75$145,792
P90 (Top)$158,121
Charleston
P10 (Entry)$106,760
P25$121,533
Median$132,188
P75$137,640
P90 (Top)$162,592

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Anderson ($137,970 effective) pays 5.38% more than Charleston ($130,928 effective).

Anderson
Nominal: $126,243
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $137,970
Charleston
Nominal: $132,188
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $130,928

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anderson if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,970)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,188/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($162,592)
  • Larger job market (1,050 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Anderson grew 16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.8% growth in Charleston over the same period.

Anderson, SC

+16.9%

$104,424 (2024) → $122,033 (2025)

Charleston, SC

+26.8%

$100,770 (2019) → $127,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Anderson or Charleston?

Charleston has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $132,188/year, compared to Anderson at $126,243/year — a difference of $5,945 (4.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anderson and Charleston?

Anderson nurse practitioners earn $60.69/hr while Charleston hygienists earn $63.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anderson to Charleston as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anderson and Charleston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anderson = $137,970, Charleston = $130,928), job availability (5 vs 1,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Anderson vs Charleston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $99,766 in Anderson and $106,760 in Charleston. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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