Lawyers in South Carolina. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Lawyers in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of $104,160 in 2024, roughly 30% below the national median of $149,496. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation.
The spread within the state is wide. The 25th percentile sits at $78,650, while the 75th reaches $162,670. That $84,000 range between those two points reflects how much practice area and seniority move the needle: a staff attorney at a nonprofit and a partner at a commercial litigation firm both count as Lawyers in this data.
South Carolina's cost-of-living index comes in at 96.6, meaning prices run about 3% below the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the state median lands around $107,800 in national-baseline dollars. The nominal gap with the US median narrows a little, though it stays substantial.
The mean annual wage of $132,500 sits well above the median of $104,160. A smaller group of higher-earning lawyers pulls the average up, so the median is the more useful reference point for anyone thinking about what most lawyers in the state actually take home.
BLS projects employment for Lawyers to grow 4.2% between 2024 and 2034, an average rate of change. About 7,270 lawyers were employed in South Carolina when this data was collected.
Salary distribution
Where South Carolina lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,870 and $174,620, with a median of $120,310.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in South Carolina
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in South Carolina is $120,310.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The South Carolina median is -24.5% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,140 and the 90th-percentile at $301,140, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.