Lawyer salary in South Carolina
Lawyers in South Carolina earn a median of $120,310 a year ($57.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $301,140 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $159,670. South Carolina ranks 36th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $144,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| 25th percentile | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Median | $120,310 | $57.84 |
| 75th percentile | $174,620 | $83.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $301,140 | $144.78 |
| Average (mean) | $144,700 | $69.57 |
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 | $10,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,627.31 |
| Weekly | $2,313.65 |
| Hourly | $57.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $120,310 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 cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $157,180 | 5,380 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $127,280 | 1,590 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $86,210 | $41.45 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $94,880 | $45.62 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $53,880 | $25.90 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $46,740 | $22.47 |
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for lawyers in South Carolina is $120,310 a year, or $57.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $301,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of lawyers in South Carolina earn at least $301,140 a year. The top 25% earn $174,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,140 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $80,870 or less.
How many lawyers work in South Carolina?
About 7,890 lawyers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.