Lawyer Salary in Summerville, SC: $116,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Summerville, SC earns a median $116,193/year (≈ $55.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $126,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lawyers in Summerville, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $116,193 in 2026, reflecting a notable divergence from the national median of $167,174. Salary ranges for legal professionals in the area span from $67,392 at the 10th percentile to $180,099 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive yet accessible market for legal practitioners. Additionally, the local context is influenced by a variety of factors, including the type of legal practice and potential for student loan forgiveness for those in public service roles. As the job market for lawyers stabilizes, prospective attorneys may find rewarding opportunities within Summerville's growing community.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($120,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,392 | $32.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,658 | $40.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,193 | $55.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,727 | $71.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,099 | $86.59 |
Median Salary Position
30.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,707 (2026 est.). At $116,193, the local median is 30.5% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Lawyer Pay Compares
Summerville median: $116,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $118,685 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -30.50% less |
Lawyers in Summerville, SC earn a median of $116,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.50% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $118,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $116,193 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $126,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,462
2025 BLS Actual
$110,977
2026 Current Est.
$116,193
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,462 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,221 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,958 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,309 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,506 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,654 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $85,462 (2019) to $110,977 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,654 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,192 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,392 – $83,658 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,658 – $116,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,193 – $148,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,727 – $180,099 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Summerville
With only 12 attorneys currently employed in Summerville, there exists a distinct local job market that may feel constrained but offers unique advantages. The cost of living index in Summerville stands at 91.5, which is below the national average, suggesting that while salaries might lag behind the national figures, the purchasing power for lawyers may remain relatively favorable. Law firms in the area range from smaller practices to regional firms, with compensation influenced by factors such as firm size, specialization, and hours worked. Many lawyers aim for billable hour targets of 1,800 to 2,400 annually, often leading to variable income based on performance and client engagement. To maximize their earning potential, lawyers in Summerville should consider exploring opportunities with regional firms or in-house legal departments, and evaluate their positioning within the local market while weighing the personal benefits of public sector employment.
More salary data for Summerville, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,977 for lawyersin the Summerville metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Summerville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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