Lawyer Hourly Pay in Florence, SC: $48.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Florence, SC runs $48.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,339 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.8, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,812 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, the projected hourly rate for lawyers in 2026 stands at $48.73, significantly lower than the national median of $80.37. This rate can have varying implications for part-time and per-diem professionals within the legal field; for instance, a lawyer working part-time, let’s say three days a week, could earn a considerable but limited income based on this hourly rate. The potential hourly earnings range from $27.54 at the lowest tier (10th percentile) to an impressive $114.44 for top earners (90th percentile). Such figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and underscore the potential variability lawyers can experience based on their practice settings, which might include traditional law firms, courtrooms, in-house corporate legal departments, or remote work environments.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.54 | $220.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.46 | $267.70 |
| Median (P50) | $48.73 | $389.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.51 | $692.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114.44 | $915.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence
Based on $48.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.73/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, SC can expect to earn approximately $101,353 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,473. With a cost-of-living index of 86.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.10 | $8,446 | $101,353 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.46 | $5,068 | $60,812 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.64 | $3,378 | $40,541 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Florence) | $48.73 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Florence, SC earn a median of $101,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.38% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 14.60% below the South Carolina state average of $118,664.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.73/hr = $60,812/year (purchasing power: $70,081).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,353/year (purchasing power: $116,801).
CoL index: 86.774 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Florence grew 28.8% from $36.12/hr (2019) to $46.54/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Florence
Part-time lawyers working in Florence could expect to earn around $47,000 annually by working just 24 hours per week, relying substantially on their chosen balance of flexibility and income. For those seeking per-diem or contract work, the reality shifts; lower-end positions in document review may offer $25 to $50 per hour, while higher-value roles, such as 1099 arrangements for established attorneys, could bill between $200 and $500 per hour. Notably, roles like expert witness or consulting attorney can command fees of $400 to $800 hourly. Different employer types in Florence also affect pay, with BigLaw firms typically compensating more than mid-sized or boutique firms, while government positions tend to offer the lowest rates, albeit with the benefits of job security and student loan forgiveness options. Lawyers in this region might negotiate strategically to balance hourly rates against benefits like health insurance, which can be a deciding factor in choosing between employment paths. Understanding the pay structures and negotiation tactics pertinent to Florence’s legal market can be crucial for maximizing earnings in this profession.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Florence. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov