Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Bluffton, SC: $66,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Bluffton, SC earns a median $66,643/year (≈ $32.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Bluffton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $72,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bluffton, South Carolina, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $66,643 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $68,071. This compensation range provides a wide spectrum, with entry-level positions starting around $53,975 and experienced LPNs potentially earning as much as $85,219. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional cost adjustments. The scope of practice for LPNs in South Carolina includes IV therapy and patient assessment, both of which can influence salary expectations and job responsibilities. Given the local demand for nursing professionals, Bluffton's job market appears promising for those in the field.
About the Bluffton Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,975 | $25.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,157 | $29.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,643 | $32.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,871 | $37.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,219 | $40.97 |
Median Salary Position
2.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bluffton
In Bluffton, SC, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,244 (2026 est.). At $66,643, the local median is 2.1% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bluffton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bluffton Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Bluffton median: $66,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bluffton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $65,918 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -2.10% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Bluffton, SC earn a median of $66,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.10% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 1.10% above the South Carolina state average of $65,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bluffton has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bluffton, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $66,643 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,834 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$46,484
2025 BLS Actual
$63,049
2026 Current Est.
$66,643
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Bluffton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,484 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,796 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,477 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,276 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,049 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bluffton metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $46,484 (2019) to $63,049 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,957 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bluffton 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 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,975 – $62,157 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,157 – $66,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,643 – $78,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,871 – $85,219 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Bluffton
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Bluffton is modest, with only six individuals currently employed in this role, placing a unique emphasis on job competition and employer offerings. The cost of living index in Bluffton stands at 91.5, indicating a relative affordability that enhances the purchasing power of LPN salaries in contrast to national averages. Skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest wages, followed by home health agencies, while physician's offices typically pay less. Variations in salary can arise from various factors, such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and premiums for weekend or holiday work in long-term care settings. To maximize earnings, potential candidates should consider pursuing positions within skilled nursing or long-term care environments, where the demand for trained LPNs remains strong and the compensation reflects the increased responsibilities.
More salary data for Bluffton, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Bluffton, SC in 2026?
Is Bluffton, SC a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Bluffton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Bluffton?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Bluffton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,049 for licensed practical nursesin the Bluffton metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bluffton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov