verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in South Carolina

Median Annual in South Carolina
$120,310/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$57.84/hr
▼ 25% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Carolina

groups Employed in SC
7,890
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$128,332 #35 of 51

Lawyer pay in South Carolina, explained

Lawyers in South Carolina earn a median of $120,310 per year ($57.84 per hour), which is 25% below the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $63,140, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $301,140. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Carolina.

Is $120,310 good pay in South Carolina?

Adjusted for South Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $120,310 is worth about $128,332 in national buying power — ranking South Carolina #35 for real pay (vs #36 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in South Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$63,140
$30.36/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$120,310
$57.84/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$301,140
$144.78/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SC
South Carolina (here) $120,310 $128,332
Georgia $134,830 $140,021 −$14,520
North Carolina $127,710 $135,392 −$7,400

Lawyer in South Carolina: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in South Carolina?

Lawyers in South Carolina earn a median of $120,310 per year ($57.84 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does South Carolina pay lawyers well?

At $120,310, South Carolina pays 25% below the national median for lawyers. An estimated 7,890 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in South Carolina