Per Diem Nursing Jobs in Columbia, South Carolina
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Working as a nurse in Columbia
Columbia anchors healthcare for South Carolina’s Midlands, and as the state capital it supports one of the region’s largest clinical workforces. From acute care hospitals to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and senior-living communities across Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, and Forest Acres, Columbia offers a broad mix of settings for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.
Prisma Health’s Midlands hospitals and Lexington Medical Center anchor acute care across the region, joined by the Columbia VA and a wide network of skilled nursing and assisted living communities that keep per diem opportunities open throughout the week.
South Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state. If you hold a qualifying multistate RN or LPN license from another compact state, you can practice in South Carolina without applying for a separate South Carolina license. CNAs must meet South Carolina certification requirements.
With Switch, you browse available shifts, choose when you work, and get paid quickly — giving you more control over your schedule and your income.
About Columbia
Home to the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson, Columbia blends government, education, and a growing healthcare sector at the center of the state. Its steady, year-round demand makes the Midlands a reliable market for nurses and CNAs seeking flexible per diem shifts.
Nursing pay in Columbia, South Carolina
RNs working per diem across South Carolina are paid $40–$40/hr, LPNs $36–$36, and CNAs $20–$20 (Switch — rates paid on completed shifts, last 12 months).
Figures are the middle 50% of hourly rates actually paid to providers on completed Switch shifts over the last 12 months, including weekend and holiday premiums, measured across South Carolina where a role has too little local shift history to report on its own. Rates vary by facility and shift — you’ll see the exact rate on every shift before you claim it. As a 1099 provider you cover self-employment tax and benefits.
What nurses actually earn in Columbia, South Carolina
Switch rates are what providers were actually paid on completed shifts over the past year — not a starting rate. Shown against local wages for employed staff nurses.
| Role | Switch (1099 per diem) | Local staff wages (W-2) |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | $20/hr top shifts to $25 | $16–$19/hr |
| LPN | $36/hr top shifts to $45 | $27–$35/hr |
| RN | $40/hr top shifts to $40.48 | $37–$46/hr |
Switch figures are the middle 50% of hourly rates actually paid on completed shifts in the last 12 months, including weekend and holiday premiums; “top shifts” is the 95th percentile. Local staff wages are employed (W-2) hourly ranges from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. As a 1099 provider you cover self-employment tax and benefits, so the two figures are not directly equivalent.
Jobs by role in Columbia, South Carolina
- CNA Jobs in Columbia, South Carolina
- LPN Jobs in Columbia, South Carolina
- RN Jobs in Columbia, South Carolina
Nearby markets
What nurses say about Switch
“Working for Switch has been a wonderful experience and has also been empowering for a busy mom like myself. I have the privilege to pick and choose my own schedule and work around my hectic schedule outside of work as a parent.”
“I have been with Switch for about five years now and the thing that I like the best about them is because they care about their workers. They pay me quickly, which is a good thing. Being with Switch brings me peace of mind. Great agency to work for!”
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FAQs about working in Columbia
Does Switch have shifts across Columbia?
Yes. Switch connects clinicians with opportunities throughout the Columbia area, including Lexington, Irmo, West Columbia, Forest Acres, and nearby Midlands communities as facilities become available.
Do I need a South Carolina nursing license to work per diem shifts in Columbia?
South Carolina is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you hold a qualifying multistate RN or LPN license from another compact state, you can generally work in South Carolina without a separate South Carolina license. CNAs must hold a valid South Carolina certification before accepting shifts.
How much do per diem nurses and CNAs make in Columbia?
Pay varies by role, experience, facility type, and demand. Weekend, holiday, and high-demand shifts often pay more. With Switch, you’ll always see the exact pay before you accept a shift.
Can I pick up shifts around a full-time job or nursing school?
Yes. Many RNs, LPNs, and CNAs use Switch to add income around a full-time position, nursing school, or family life, with no minimum-hour requirements. You choose which shifts fit your schedule.