CRNA jobs in Columbia, SC
Pay for CRNAs in the Columbia area centers on $105.37 per hour, or about $219,170 a year. The lower quarter earns under $104.14 and the upper quarter over $115+. That ranks 35th of 83 U.S. metro areas for CRNA pay, and 35th of 79 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 6 hospitals in Columbia. The free report below lists employers near Columbia and what they pay.
- $105.37median pay per hour, Columbia
- $104–$115+typical range per hour
- 170CRNAs employed in the metro area
- 94cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CRNA pay in Columbia, SC
The metro median is 3% below the South Carolina statewide median of $108.56 per hour. Nationally the median is $107.31 per hour. BLS counts about 170 nurse anesthetists employed in the Columbia metro area, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.33).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $88.29 | $183,640 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $104.14 | $216,610 | 3% below U.S. median |
| Median | $105.37 | $219,170 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $115+ | $239,200+ | 7% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 35th of 83 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 35th of 79 after adjusting for local prices
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nurse Anesthetists (SOC 29-1151), all industries. Figures marked $115+ are the BLS top-coded maximum. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 79.5).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $105.37 median hour buys what $112.50 buys at the national price level, 5% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Columbia CRNA pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Columbia paycheck
- Per year: $189,666
- Per month: $15,806
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Columbia
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $115 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $74 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,323 |
| 13-week assignment | $17,199 |
Travel CRNA assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Columbia
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Columbia, 3 of the 5 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of CRNAs.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Sc Va Medical Center Columbia, SC | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Baptist Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Musc Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Richland Hospital Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| G Werber Bryan Psych Hosp Columbia, SC | Psychiatric | Government and federal | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Richland County
HRSA lists 2 active primary care shortage designations that include Richland County (1 population-group, 1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 12 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.
Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.
Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.
CRNA pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC | 62 mi | $114.80/hr | 75,798 |
| Charlotte, NC | 81 mi | $114.80/hr | 943,476 |
| Augusta, GA | 82 mi | $104.57/hr | 201,737 |
| Summerville, SC | 83 mi | $110.99/hr | 52,625 |
| Gastonia, NC | 85 mi | $114.80/hr | 85,535 |
| Goose Creek, SC | 89 mi | $110.99/hr | 50,352 |
License and tax basics in South Carolina
South Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a South Carolina license by endorsement.
South Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CRNAs make in Columbia, SC?
CRNAs in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $105.37 per hour, about $219,170 a year. The middle half earn between $104.14 and $115+ per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for CRNAs once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 35th of 79 metro areas for CRNA pay after adjusting for local prices, and 35th of 83 before adjusting. Overall prices run 6% below the U.S. average.
Where do CRNAs work in Columbia?
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Columbia, led by Columbia Sc Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a South Carolina license to work in Columbia as a CRNA?
South Carolina is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a South Carolina license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Columbia in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 2 active primary care shortage designations that include Richland County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Columbia?
The federal per diem benchmark in Columbia is $115 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,323 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place CRNAs in Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across South Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
What do employers near Columbia pay CRNAs? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
35+ CRNA roles in South Carolina, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your CRNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your South Carolina list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Essentia HealthDuluth, MN · 4 postings$173.59/ hr$142–$200
- MercyWisconsin · 3 postings$152.50/ hr$88–$200
- NewYork-PresbyterianNew York · 7 postings$145.43/ hr$130–$161
- Mass General BrighamSalem, MA · 26 postings$140.62/ hr$67–$200
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your South Carolina list
2What they are offering now
106 CRNA postings with published pay in the US, 69 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open CRNA roles
Open CRNA roles near Columbia, SC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.