How much does a RN in SC make?

[Jalpr10441]

I am looking into moving to SC in the next couple of years. I am currently a nurse in CT, I have been a nurse for 2 years. I know I would most likely take a pay cut cos the cost of living is cheaper down there, but what would the best guess of hourly wages.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

A nurse with your experience would expect to make between $20-23/hr in the Upstate area. Facilities in SC are not unionized, and it WILL depend on your location in the state. Obviously larger university teaching hospitals pay more. Check out http://www.Salary.com

The majority of your cost of living savings will be in housing and property taxes.

Here's my example:

$1300-1800 NYC studio apt

$450/mo 1 bd apt in Greenville SC

Most starter houses start at around $110k, and you can find McMansions in the 300k range. Taxes are pennies on the dollar from what we pay here in NJ.

[Jalpr10441]

Thanx...that is not too bad. I currently make $27 an hour working in a big inner city hospital. It sounds cheaper down there than in expensive CT!!

[missjennmb]

That price for a 1 bedroom might be a bit low. I would say about $600 for a decent 1 bedroom apartment, and $700-800 for a 2-3 bedroom. You can, of course, find rock bottom prices (the lowest I found was $479) but I wouldn't live in some of them unless my husband was an exterminator~

Still much cheaper here. The purchasing prices are spot on though. I live south of Myrtle Beach a ways, and I bought a 50 yr old 2100SF house for about $95,000 a couple of years ago. With the market slump (2 houses in my neighborhood have been for sale for a YEAR now...no exaggeration) it might even be cheaper.

[Dee_PICRN]

What about in the Charleston area? Does the pay at MUSC coincide with the increase in housing compared to the rest of the state? I live in NJ and I am thinking of moving also but I have a husband and 3 kids to think about so I need to make sure the move is going to be worth it. My other options are Charlotte, NC or Charlottesville, Va. Any suggestions???

[FurmanGirl]

I'm not sure about the other states, but Charlotte, NC has a high cost of living, as does Charleston, SC. I'm not sure how they compare to one another. If you take into account the cost of living, Greenville is generally the highest paying. The pay is a little lower in Charleston and doesn't go as far.

[boykinm]

I currently live in Charleston and I would say the average rent for a two bedroom apt is around 1100$. I have not been able to find a one bedroom apt for less than 850$ (in downtown/ James Island/ Mt Pleasant area)-- i pick these areas because they are in such close proximity to MUSC/ and Roper. I do not know the seasoned nurse salary- but the newer nurse salary has or is about to become 23.05$/ hr I think not counting shift differential. Hope this helps

[heyheyhey]

I live in Mt. Pleasant which is about at most a 30 mins. drive for me sometimes less for me to work at Charleston depending on traffic. My roommate and I found our two bedroom apt. for $875 a month and it's nice, two bed and two bath. They usually run around $1000 or a little more for a two bedroom when we were first searching but got lucky.

[AuntieRN]

Im in Myrtle Beach. I know that the new grads here are making about 21.00 an hour. Not sure about seasoned nurses. The cost of living really isnt that much cheaper in my opinion. Groceries are expensive and to me rents cost a bundle....The housing market is in a slump but they are still expensive here at the beach. I also know that there are at least 2 hospitals here with a hiring freeze at the moment...mine being one of them...its beautiful here though. You will not make the money here you make in CT. I know because thats where I am originally from. Good luck and enjoy...

[pawashrn]

Nursing is not for those you plan to retire on one's income. The cost of living varies from S.C. and CT. depending on what gross product you are evaluating. If you are talking apples to apples S.C. is the clear winner. Just the decrease cost of surviving the winters, in CT.( winter clothing, heating, preparing the car for winter) S.C. doesn't have a true winter.

Take your average cost of expenditures(clothing, food, housing) and compare those cost. Now, S.C. taxes all items purchased, which I feel is a good thing, because you want to save on taxes, don't purchase anything, it forces you to save. moved from Pgh, Pa.(Steelers) to Greenville, S.C.

[Jon's sis]

Coming to town with 5 years med/surg experience, offered $22.50/hr base, with med/surg bonus for a hospital in Columbia

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

I've lived in SC all my life save 17 months when my spouse was in the army in Alabama. I don't think the COL here is that different if you leave out heating. My gas/electric bills are pretty much the same year round. In the summer it can get upwards of 104 for days at a time. On the other hand winters are cold (to me) but probably what you'd think of as a cool fall day.In the high 30-40s. Groceries are getting out of sight as is gasoline. Our salaries do NOT compare with CT or any of the NE USA.

Housing cost has jumped in the rental areas and there are a lot of people who are not able to keep up their house payments....that is sad to me. Fortunately we paid our house off when money wasn't so tight.