Travel Nursing in South Carolina

Travel Nursing in South Carolina

If you are looking for a travel contract full of a wide variety of day-off adventures, then you might need to place South Carolina at the top of your list. This state is full of diverse landscapes from rolling mountains, to well-known beaches. You can spend your days off visiting historical sights and immersing yourself in educational and cultural opportunities while also having the option to play outside and see something different every day.

Take advantage of living close to fun destinations such as Hilton Head, plan a fishing trip on the Atlantic, enjoy culinary treasures in Charleston, take a scenic drive along the Oscar Wigington Scenic Byway, and enjoy being surrounded by authentic Southern hospitality around every corner. Although some of the travel contracts might not compete on paper with other higher-paying contracts across the country, the cost of living in South Carolina will help keep that paycheck around for longer.

Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make in South Carolina?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina pays nurses an average of $69,580 a year which puts them just above 25% when compared to the rest of the country. You may find higher-paying jobs in the larger states where there are more specialties. However, you can also find several higher-paying contracts in rural areas due to increased need.

Based on information from Indeed.com, travel nurses can make up to $2,260 a week while traveling in South Carolina. The highest-paying cities are as follows:

Highest Paying Specialties in South Carolina

South Carolina has a great mix of larger cities with university hospitals, as well as many rural and smaller community hospitals. However, as with most of the United States, the nurses that get paid the most are the ones in the most specialized units.

Cardiac nurses and OR nurses have led the salary train in the past few years, having the potential to bring in the biggest paychecks. In states and cities that have larger pediatric hospitals, specialty pediatric units can also offer higher salaries, especially in the winter months when flu and RSV can run rampant with the pediatric demographic. As of winter 2023, the top-paying specialties in South Carolina are as follows:

• CVOR – $3,032 / week
• Pre/Post Cath Lab – $3,032 / week
• CVICU – $2,988 / week
• Electrophysiology RN – $2,894 / week
• PCU – $2,720 / week

Find available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!

Top 5 Hospitals in South Carolina

Although Charleston houses the largest and most well-known hospital in the region, the state has multiple nationally-ranked hospitals. These hospitals provide care and opportunities to locals and travelers across their state, and many of them have specialties that can compete across the nation. The top five hospitals in South Carolina according to US News are as follows.

1. MUSC Health-University Medical Center

• Location: Charleston
• Nationally Ranked: 2 Specialties and 4 Pediatric Specialties
  • Ear, Nose, & Throat – #15 in the Nation
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology – #15 in the Nation
  • Pediatric Cancer -#31 in the Nation
  • Pediatric Cardiology – #4 in the Nation
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology – #41 in the Nation
  • Pediatric Nephrology – #30 in the Nation
• High Performing: 4 Specialties and 16 Procedures/Conditions

2. Lexington Medical

• Location: West Columbia
• High Performing: 11 Procedures/Conditions
  • Colon Cancer Surgery
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurism Repair
  • Heart Attack
  • Heart Bypass Surgery
  • Heart Failure
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Failure
  • Back Surgery
  • Stroke
  • Hip Fracture
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

3. Roper Hospital

• Location: Charleston
• Nationally Ranked: 1 Specialty
  • Rehabilitation: #43 in the Nation
• High Performing: 12 Procedures/Conditions
  • Colon Cancer Surgery
  • Lung Cancer Surgery
  • Prostate Cancer Surgery
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurism Repair
  • Aortic Valve Surgery
  • Heart Failure
  • Kidney Failure
  • Stroke
  • Hip Fracture
  • Hip Replacement
  • Knee Replacement

4. Spartanburg Medical Center

• Location: Spartanburg
• High Performing: 11 Procedures/Conditions
  • Colon Cancer Surgery
  • Lung Cancer Surgery
  • Prostate Cancer Surgery
  • Heart Attack
  • Aortic Valve Replacement
  • Heart Bypass Surgery
  • Heart Failure
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Failure
  • Stroke
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

5. McLeod Regional Medical Center

• Location: Florence
• High Performing: 9 Procedures/Conditions
  • Colon Cancer Surgery
  • Lung Cancer Surgery
  • Heart Attack
  • Heart Failure
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney Failure
  • Stroke
  • Knee Replacement
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Cost of Living for Travel Nurses in South Carolina

If you are looking to take a travel contract in South Carolina, you have probably already discovered that many of the pay rates seem lower than other states are offering. However, with the lower paycheck comes lower rent and reduced cost of groceries when compared to other states. According to Apartment List, South Carolina has a lower cost of living than the national average. They estimate that a 1 bedroom house would rent on average anywhere from $934 to $1,481 depending on the city.

South Carolina also has myriad public bus options to help facilitate longer travel around the state, but prices will add up if that is your primary means of transportation. However, gas prices in South Carolina are significantly lower than the national average as The Palmetto State ranks in the top 5 cheapest states for gasoline for cars. Overall, living in South Carolina can dramatically decrease your overall cost of living spending. However, with its rise in popularity, cities such as Charleston will cost substantially more than the more rural regions.

Pros & Cons of Travel Nursing in South Carolina

Pros of Travel Nursing in South Carolina

• South Carolina is stunning. From warm beaches to crisp mountains, you can find just about anything that suits your needs in this state.
• There are endless opportunities for different activities. From whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, or even playing golf, your days off with new friends will be full of memories.
• Take advantage of a state rich with history and culture and experience immersing in some of our country’s founding moments.
• Do you like food? Well, Charleston has risen to the top of the list in terms of best restaurants.
• Come spend the winters and shoulder seasons with mild temperatures to capitalize on all of the outdoor activities.

Cons of Travel Nursing in South Carolina

• Summers can be very hot and muggy. If you’re a mosquito magnet, consider traveling here during the cooler months.
• If you work for a specialized department, job opportunities may be more limited due to the lack of abundant universities and teaching hospitals.
• The weekly pay will not be as high as some jobs across the country, so if you are taking travel contracts with income as a high priority, South Carolina will not be at the top of your list.
• Hurricane season can hit the coast of South Carolina pretty intensely. If storms are a concern, choose the time of year wisely when taking a contract in South Carolina.
• The wealth disparity in South Carolina can be disturbing at times. As parts of the state have become more affluent, it has also caused the poor to become even poorer and struggle to make a living.

Things To Do on Your Days Off

If you take a contract close to the coast, your days off will be full of bathing in the sun and living life along the Atlantic. From Charleston to Myrtle Beach, there are hundreds of small pullouts and beaches to explore. Charter a fishing boat for a day, learn to kite surf, book a stay at Hilton Head, and ask locals what their favorite days off activities are.

You could also take some time to freshen up on your American History and visit some of the many battle sites or war memorials such as Fort Sumter National Monument. Many former plantations have been restored and turned into beautiful historical landmarks that now offer educational opportunities. Spend a long weekend and travel into the mountains, rent a bike, and cruise down new paths and treat your hard work with some world-renowned barbeque. Spend a day in the historic Charleston district and explore the arts and culture that run vibrantly through the streets. Most of all, enjoy your days off living and learning new experiences that are around every corner in South Carolina.

Why South Carolina?

South Carolina is a state that more or less has it all. From the serene beaches on the east to the mountains and hills on the west, you can find large cities and quaint towns. Enjoy living in a culture that could be very different from your home, and take advantage of the warm southern hospitality. Spend your winters in South Carolina exploring the outdoors and your summers cooling off at the beach. South Carolina is full of potential and will be sure to bring endless memories that will last a lifetime.

​​Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!