State comparison · 2025
Lawyers salary: California vs South Carolina
Lawyers in California earn a median of $195,080. In South Carolina, $120,310. After cost-of-living, the gap is 37.2% — not 62.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+62.1%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+37.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Lawyers
- Median
- $195,080
- p25
- $131,120
- p75
- $277,140
- p10
- $97,950
- p90
- $369,180
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -43%
South Carolina
Lawyers
- Median
- $120,310
- p25
- $80,870
- p75
- $174,620
- p10
- $63,140
- p90
- $301,140
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 93.7
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.