Lawyer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Lawyers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $127,280 a year ($61.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $272,990 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $120,310. There are 4.0 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $149,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| 25th percentile | $84,210 | $40.49 |
| Median | $127,280 | $61.19 |
| 75th percentile | $175,390 | $84.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $272,990 | $131.25 |
| Average (mean) | $149,310 | $71.78 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,606.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,303.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,895.38 |
| Weekly | $2,447.69 |
| Hourly | $61.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $127,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,180 | 5,380 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $124,970 | 1,290 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $123,960 | 630 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $120,310 | 310 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $118,950 | 440 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $107,740 | 370 |
| Columbia, SC | $105,200 | 1,950 |
| Sumter, SC | $101,900 | 70 |
| Florence, SC | $96,790 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $98,120 | $47.17 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $52,990 | $25.48 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for lawyers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $127,280 a year, or $61.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $272,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $272,990 a year. The top 25% earn $175,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,960 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $84,210 or less.
How many lawyers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 1,590 lawyers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.