Lawyer Salary in South Carolina: $121,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $121,991/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $133,323 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($129,994), Greer ($127,984), Anderson ($127,854).
In 2026, the average median salary for lawyers in South Carolina is projected to be $121,991, significantly lower than the national median of $167,174, creating a salary gap of 27.0%. North Charleston offers the highest average salary at $136,104, while Florence presents the lowest at $101,339, reflecting a difference of $34,765. This variance can be attributed to factors such as demand for legal services, local economies, and concentrations of legal practices in urban versus rural areas. South Carolina requires lawyers to hold a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and pass the state bar exam, which is standard across the U.S. The projected annual growth rate for this profession in the state is 4.70%, indicating a steady influx of opportunities. Major cities like Greer, Anderson, Charleston, and Greenville feature salaries close to the state average, ranging from $130,844 in Greenville to $133,999 in Greer. Overall, the legal job market in South Carolina remains stable, with demand driven by population growth, business development, and evolving legal needs. This presents a favorable outlook for new graduates and experienced attorneys alike, as legal services continue to be essential in various sectors across the state.
South Carolina Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $57,281 (lowest entry-level) to $357,906 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina lawyers earn 27.03% less than the national median ($-45,183/year difference).
South Carolina Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in South Carolina range from $70,591 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $301,766 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $121,991. The South Carolina median is $45,183 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $58.65/hr. Approximately 6,351 lawyers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,010
2025 BLS Actual
$116,515
2026 Current Est.
$121,991
2019–2027 Growth
+50.2%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,873 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,471 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,375 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,515 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,725 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 37.1% from $85,010 (2019) to $116,515 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,725 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,715 (50.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $136,104 | 91.5 | $148,748 |
| Greer | $133,999 | 91.5 | $146,447 |
| Anderson | $133,863 | 91.5 | $146,298 |
| Greenville | $130,844 | 93.26 | $140,300 |
| Spartanburg | $125,965 | 91.051 | $138,346 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $70,591 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $121,991 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $301,766 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $136,104 |
| 2 | Greer | $133,999 |
| 3 | Anderson | $133,863 |
| 4 | Charleston | $133,262 |
| 5 | Greenville | $130,844 |
| 6 | Spartanburg | $125,965 |
| 7 | Myrtle Beach | $124,541 |
| 8 | Conway | $122,245 |
| 9 | Mount Pleasant | $120,413 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $118,195 |
| 11 | Aiken | $117,677 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $117,511 |
| 13 | Mauldin | $116,820 |
| 14 | Summerville | $116,193 |
| 15 | Simpsonville | $114,278 |
| 16 | Fort Mill | $114,225 |
| 17 | Goose Creek | $113,957 |
| 18 | Hilton Head Island | $112,804 |
| 19 | Lexington | $112,092 |
| 20 | Bluffton | $110,661 |
| 21 | Columbia | $110,144 |
| 22 | Easley | $110,093 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $109,486 |
| 24 | Clemson | $109,281 |
| 25 | Sumter | $106,689 |
| 26 | Florence | $101,339 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for lawyers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina lawyer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level lawyer salary in South Carolina?
How many lawyers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for lawyers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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