Cardiac Travel Nurse Salary in Charleston, South Carolina
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Cardiac travel nurses heading to Charleston.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (Cardiac)
$49/hr
Charleston, SC
Total Weekly Package
$3,287
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,678
After ~31% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: Cardiac in Charleston
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$3,637/mo
$120/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL index: 112.5
Monthly Margin
+2,337/mo
Stipend covers rent
South Carolina Cardiac Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for Cardiac travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,964
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,323
Annual Potential
$102,109
Tax estimate: 7% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your Cardiac Pay in Charleston
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Charleston's GSA rates and cost of living index of 112.5.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Charleston
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Cardiac travel nurses working in Charleston. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$120/night
$840/week
Meals & Incidentals
$69/day
$483/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,323
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for Cardiac Travel Nurses in South Carolina
Cardiac Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years cardiac experience
South Carolina Licensing
Hospitals Hiring Cardiac Travel Nurses in Charleston
- MUSC Health
- Roper St. Francis
- Trident Medical
Other Specialties in Charleston
ICU
~$50/hr
Very HighER
~$49/hr
Very HighOR
~$51/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$47/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$44/hr
Very HighPACU
~$48/hr
HighNICU
~$49/hr
HighPICU
~$50/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$45/hr
ModerateOther South Carolina Cities for Cardiac Travel Nurses
Greenville
~$41/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Hilton Head
~$49/hr Cardiac
COL: 118.5
Rock Hill
~$41/hr Cardiac
COL: 95
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Cardiac travel nurses make in Charleston?
Cardiac travel nurses in Charleston earn approximately $49/hr in taxable wages ($1,964/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,323/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $3,287. Annual potential is $102,109 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Charleston?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Charleston are: Lodging $120/night, Meals $64/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,323. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Charleston affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Charleston is 112.5 (above the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,300/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$3,637/month, leaving a surplus of $2,337/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do Cardiac travel nurses need for South Carolina assignments?
Cardiac travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years cardiac experience. For South Carolina specifically: South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Charleston without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Charleston hire Cardiac travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Charleston that hire Cardiac travel nurses include: MUSC Health, Roper St. Francis, Trident Medical. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Cardiac positions in Charleston.
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