LPN Salary

Charleston vs Fort Mill: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Charleston, SC and Fort Mill, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$67,754
$32.58/hr
Fort Mill, SC
$63,459
$30.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCFort Mill, SC
Median Salary$67,754$63,459
Hourly Rate$32.58$30.51
Entry Level (P10)$52,015$52,276
25th Percentile$63,684$59,573
75th Percentile$77,203$73,319
Top Earner (P90)$80,702$77,951
Total Employed1,4805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($67,754) and Fort Mill ($63,459) licensed practical nurse salaries.CharlestonFort MillMedian Salary$67,754$63,459Entry Level (P10)$52,015$52,276Top Earner (P90)$80,702$77,951US Median $68,071

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Mill.

The salary gap between Charleston and Fort Mill is $4,295 (6.77%). Charleston's median is -0.47% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $28,687,Fort Mill spans $25,675. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$52,015
P25$63,684
Median$67,754
P75$77,203
P90 (Top)$80,702
Fort Mill
P10 (Entry)$52,276
P25$59,573
Median$63,459
P75$73,319
P90 (Top)$77,951

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Mill ($69,354 effective) pays 3.35% more than Charleston ($67,108 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $67,754
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $67,108
Fort Mill
Nominal: $63,459
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $69,354

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,754/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,702)
  • Larger job market (1,480 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Mill if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,354)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Charleston grew 37.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.1% growth in Fort Mill over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+37.4%

$46,660 (2019) → $64,100 (2025)

Fort Mill, SC

+31.1%

$45,797 (2024) → $60,037 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Charleston or Fort Mill?

Charleston has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $67,754/year, compared to Fort Mill at $63,459/year — a difference of $4,295 (6.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Fort Mill?

Charleston licensed practical nurses earn $32.58/hr while Fort Mill hygienists earn $30.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Fort Mill as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Fort Mill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $67,108, Fort Mill = $69,354), job availability (1,480 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Charleston vs Fort Mill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $52,015 in Charleston and $52,276 in Fort Mill. The Fort Mill area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov