Nurse Anesthetist Salary in South Carolina: $263,059 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $263,059/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $287,496 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Myrtle Beach ($279,570), Conway ($274,415), Columbia ($271,350).
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in South Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $263,059, which is 5.7% higher than the national median of $248,893. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Myrtle Beach offering the highest average at $294,108 and Clemson the lowest at $209,714, resulting in a gap of $84,394. This difference is driven by factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of medical facilities. South Carolina has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role of nurse anesthetists. With 421 professionals employed across the state, the job market for nurse anesthetists continues to show strength, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%. Major cities such as Conway and Columbia follow Myrtle Beach in salary rankings, with average salaries of $288,685 and $285,460, respectively. The demand for nurse anesthetists is likely to increase due to an aging population and a growing emphasis on quality healthcare. As such, pursuing a career in this field in South Carolina can be a rewarding choice, reflecting both competitive compensation and positive job market trends.
South Carolina Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $141,425 (lowest entry-level) to $451,329 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina nurse anesthetists earn 5.69% more than the national median (+$14,166/year difference).
South Carolina Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in South Carolina range from $195,047 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $336,932 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $263,059. The South Carolina median is $14,166 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $126.47/hr. Approximately 421 nurse anesthetists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$171,246
2025 BLS Actual
$250,056
2026 Current Est.
$263,059
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $171,246 | Actual |
| 2020 | $160,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $184,162 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,753 | Actual |
| 2023 | $212,909 | Actual |
| 2024 | $213,684 | Actual |
| 2025 | $250,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $263,059 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $276,738 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 46.0% from $171,246 (2019) to $250,056 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $276,738 by 2027 — a total increase of $105,492 (61.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conway | $288,685 | 91.5 | $315,503 |
| Myrtle Beach | $294,108 | 93.642 | $314,077 |
| Columbia | $285,460 | 93.662 | $304,777 |
| Greer | $247,516 | 91.5 | $270,509 |
| Anderson | $247,264 | 91.5 | $270,234 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $195,047 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $263,059 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $336,932 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Myrtle Beach | $294,108 |
| 2 | Conway | $288,685 |
| 3 | Columbia | $285,460 |
| 4 | Greer | $247,516 |
| 5 | Anderson | $247,264 |
| 6 | North Charleston | $245,765 |
| 7 | Greenville | $241,686 |
| 8 | Charleston | $240,634 |
| 9 | Mount Pleasant | $231,078 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $226,822 |
| 11 | Hilton Head Island | $226,216 |
| 12 | Aiken | $225,827 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $225,509 |
| 14 | Mauldin | $224,183 |
| 15 | Summerville | $222,980 |
| 16 | Florence | $221,108 |
| 17 | Spartanburg | $221,020 |
| 18 | Simpsonville | $219,305 |
| 19 | Fort Mill | $219,202 |
| 20 | Goose Creek | $218,687 |
| 21 | Sumter | $216,885 |
| 22 | Bluffton | $216,708 |
| 23 | Lexington | $215,109 |
| 24 | Easley | $211,273 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $210,109 |
| 26 | Clemson | $209,714 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in South Carolina?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary 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 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov