Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $58.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Columbia, SC runs $58.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,557 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,539 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nurse practitioners in Columbia, South Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $58.93, which reflects a competitive rate but is notably below the national median of $65.80. For those employed part-time, such as those working three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,410 weekly, which may offer appealing flexibility and work-life balance, especially in various healthcare settings like primary care exam rooms, hospital outpatient clinics, urgent care locations, and telehealth. The hourly wage ranges from $48.25 for entry-level practitioners to $74.95 for those at the top of their field, illustrating the potential for salary growth as experience and specialization increase.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.25 | $385.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.71 | $421.66 |
| Median (P50) | $58.93 | $471.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.77 | $518.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.95 | $599.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $58.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.93/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $122,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,710. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,357.00 | $10,214 | $122,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,414.20 | $6,128 | $73,539 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $942.80 | $4,085 | $49,026 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Columbia) | $58.93 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $122,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.45% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 1.40% below the South Carolina state average of $124,297.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.93/hr = $73,539/year (purchasing power: $78,515).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,564/year (purchasing power: $130,858).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Columbia grew 22.7% from $46.42/hr (2019) to $56.96/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.96/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
While the hourly rate serves as a foundational figure for earnings, the dynamics of part-time and per-diem work significantly influence take-home pay. A nurse practitioner working a 3-day week can earn a solid income, but the per diem or locum tenens route presents different financial opportunities. Many locum NPs earn between $80 to $140 per hour depending on their specialty, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can command even higher rates, sometimes reaching $150 to $200 per hour for async telehealth medication management. The compensation varies widely depending on the employer type in Columbia, with retail clinics, urgent care chains, and telehealth platforms often offering lower hourly rates while providing benefits such as health insurance. Conversely, independent contractors may accept less stability for higher rates. Negotiation strategies for hourly workers can include emphasizing specialized skills or flexibility in scheduling, helping ensure that Columbia's nurse practitioners create compensation packages aligned with their professional and personal goals.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Columbia in 2026?
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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 Columbia. 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