BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Lawyers in South Carolina

$144,700 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$69.57 per hour

▼ 22.1% below U.S. average35th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$144,700per year
Median$120,310per year
Hourly$69.57per hour
10th – 90th percentile$63,140 – $301,140per year

Lawyers Pay Range in South Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,140
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$80,870
  • 50th Percentile — Median$120,310
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$174,620
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$301,140

Half of Lawyers in South Carolina earn more than $120,310. The top 10% make $301,140 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,140.

Lawyers in South Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Carolina ranks 35th of 51 states for Lawyers pay, at $144,700 per year (22.1% below the U.S. average of $185,840).
  • 7,890 people work as Lawyers in South Carolina — 1.0% of all U.S. Lawyers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.71: Lawyers jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,140; the top 10% earn over $301,140.
  • Hourly equivalent: $69.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $242,800.
  • Among legal jobs in South Carolina, Administrative Law Judges pays the most ($108,940).

Lawyers Job Market in South Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Lawyers here earn $144,700 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $144,700 is roughly equivalent to $164,432 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($151,140), Michigan ($148,820), Alabama ($146,630) are the closest alternatives for Lawyers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Lawyers salary in South Carolina?

The average Lawyers salary in South Carolina is $144,700 per year (median $120,310), which is 22.1% below the national average of $185,840.

How does South Carolina rank for Lawyers pay?

South Carolina ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($242,800/yr).

How much do entry-level Lawyers make in South Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Lawyers in South Carolina earn about $63,140 per year and the 25th percentile is $80,870.

How much do Lawyers make per hour in South Carolina?

About $69.57 per hour, based on the $144,700 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Lawyers work in South Carolina?

BLS counts 7,890 Lawyers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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