Med-Surg South Carolina Very High Demand

Med-Surg Travel Nurse Salary in South Carolina

Calculate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in South Carolina. Med-Surg travel nurses provide care for patients with various medical and surgical conditions, the most common travel nursing specialty.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Average Hourly Rate

$42/hr

Med-Surg in SC

Weekly Gross Pay

$1,680

Before taxes

Annual Potential

$87,360

Working full-time

#40

South Carolina Med-Surg Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Med-Surg travel nurse compensation

South Carolina offers moderate Med-Surg travel nurse compensation at $42/hr (ranked #40 of 50 states). As a compact license state, you can start working quickly without additional licensing. High demand means plenty of assignment options.

Est. Weekly Gross

$2,779

(Taxable + Stipends)

Est. Weekly Net

$2,258

(After 31% est. tax)

Stipend vs Housing

+$868/wk

(Surplus or deficit)

Hawaii leads at $58/hr — $16/hr more than South Carolina. Compare →

Calculate Your Med-Surg Pay in South Carolina

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in South Carolina. Enter your contract details to see your true discretionary income after cost of living adjustments.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for South Carolina ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate31.0%
Federal: 24%
State: 7%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 7% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$72.53

Based on 36 hours in SC.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,611

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,512

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$469

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,142

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$27,850

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$55,699

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$111,399

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,142

per week

Taxes

$469

per week

Total Gross: $2,611 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in South Carolina

$1,000

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$1,970

Your stipend covers rent with $1,970 left over each month.

Find apartments under $1,000/month in Charleston:

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Cost of Living Analysis in South Carolina

Monthly Net Income:$9,276
Average 1BR Rent:$1,000
True Discretionary Income:$8,276

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:95.8

National average = 100. South Carolina's cost of living is lower than the national average by 4.2 points.

Housing Cost: Low

Utilities: Low

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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GSA Rates & Tax-Free Stipends in South Carolina

Med-Surg travel nurses in South Carolina receive the same tax-free stipend rates as other specialties. The specialty premium is reflected in your higher taxable hourly rate.

Lodging

$98/night

Meals & Incidentals

$64/day

Weekly Stipend Max

$1,134

Requirements for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in South Carolina

Med-Surg Certifications

  • BLS
  • 1+ years Med-Surg experience

South Carolina Licensing

Compact State Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Tax & Cost of Living in South Carolina

Tax Information

State Income Tax 7%
Tax-Friendly No

Cost of Living

COL Index 95.8
vs National Avg 4.200000000000003% lower
Housing Low

Top Cities for Med-Surg Travel Nurses in South Carolina

Top Hospitals Hiring Med-Surg Nurses in South Carolina

  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Prisma Health
  • Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Med-Surg travel nurses make in South Carolina?

Medical-Surgical travel nurses in South Carolina typically earn between $37 and $54 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $42/hr. This translates to approximately $1,680 per week or $87,360 annually. Med-Surg nurses often earn a premium due to extremely high demand.

What are the requirements to work as a Med-Surg travel nurse in South Carolina?

To work as a Medical-Surgical travel nurse in South Carolina, you typically need: BLS, 1+ years Med-Surg experience. South Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional state licensing.

What GSA rates apply for Med-Surg travel nurses in South Carolina?

The GSA per diem rates for South Carolina are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts. Med-Surg travel nurses receive the same stipend rates as other specialties—the specialty premium is reflected in the higher taxable hourly rate.

Is South Carolina a good state for Med-Surg travel nurses?

South Carolina has higher taxes but often offers competitive rates for travel nurses. Med-Surg nurses are in extremely high demand, which often leads to better pay and more assignment options. The cost of living index is 95.8 (below national average).

Which cities in South Carolina have the best Med-Surg travel nurse jobs?

Popular cities for Medical-Surgical travel nurse assignments in South Carolina include: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville. Major hospitals like Medical University of South Carolina and Prisma Health frequently hire Med-Surg travel nurses. Use our calculator to compare pay and cost of living across these cities.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.