Statistics from the South Carolina Office for Healthcare Workforce reveal that RNs in the state are pursuing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in increasing numbers. Between 2014 and 2016, the size of both the RN and APRN workforce in South Carolina increased by 3.1%, and the number of doctorate prepared nurses increased by 19%.
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A focus on the DNP—the highest clinical nursing degree available—comes as no surprise, with stakeholders increasingly advocating for this degree among the state’s APRNs. In addition to outstanding professional opportunities, a DNP for APRNs and other advanced nursing roles comes with more attractive salaries. For example, a 2018 salary survey by the Advance Healthcare Network revealed that DNP-educated nurse practitioners earned, on average, $7,683 more than their MSN-educated peers—a 7% difference.
Statewide Salary Data for DNP-Educated APRNs and More in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce outlined the salary ranges for DNP-prepared nurses throughout the state (2018):
- Nurse Administrators and Executives: $114,260-$153,900
- Nursing Educators: $79,550-$94,640
- Nurse Practitioners: $108,010-$126,240
- Nurse Anesthetists: $194,260+
- Nurse-Midwives: $101,330-$125,710
Salaries for DNP Nurses in the South Carolina’s Major Cities
The South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce outlined salary information for DNP-educated advanced nursing professionals in the major cities of the state, as of 2018:
Nurse Administrators and Executives:
- Charleston-North Charleston: $126,960-$174,520
- Columbia: $121,010-$147,290
- Greenville: $107,040-$152,940
- Hilton Head: $113,400-$137,530
- Myrtle Beach: $101,240-$123,920
Nursing Instructors:
- Columbia: $94,000-$101,230
Nurse Practitioners:
- Charleston-North Charleston: $110,450-$124,680
- Columbia: $110,370-$125,280
- Greenville: $105,370-$130,110
- Hilton Head: $101,470-$112,900
- Myrtle Beach: $100,460-$106,660
Nurse Anesthetists:
- Charleston-North Charleston: $186,800+
- Myrtle Beach: $199,680+
An Overview of Hourly Wages for South Carolina’s DNP-Educated Nurses
A 2019 Medscape Compensation Report found that 78% of APRNs earn overtime, which reveals that the majority of these nursing professionals are paid hourly. Because of this, it’s important to identify hourly wages for APRNs.
The South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce provides hourly wages for DPN-educated nursing professionals, as of 2018:
- Nurse Administrators: $54.93-$73.99
- Nurse Practitioners: $51.93-$60.69
- Nurse Anesthetists: $93.39+
- Nurse Midwives: $48.71-$60.44
Salary and employment data compiled by the South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce in May of 2018 – (https://jobs.scworks.org/vosnet/Default.aspx). Salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth data accessed in December 2019.
This page includes salaries that fall within the 75th and 90th percentiles for each nursing role to account for the fact that DNP-educated nurses are recognized as earning more than master’s-prepared nurses in the same roles.