Lawyer Salaries in South Carolina

$110,000 Average Salary
38% Below National Average
$98K Median
$152K Top 10%
$63K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
South Carolina Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $110,000 (-38% below national)
  • Career Range: $62,998 (Entry) → $217,000 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($154K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($183K), In-House ($121K)
  • vs Nearby: Below Virginia, Georgia

South Carolina attracts retirees and corporate relocations with low taxes and costs. Charleston is growing as a tech and tourism hub. BMW and Boeing bring manufacturing law to Greenville and Charleston.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in South Carolina

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$62,998
Median: $53K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$89,900
Median: $79K
6-10 years
Senior
$120,900
Median: $107K
10+ years
Partner
$217,000
Median: $177K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in South Carolina can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $62,998, experienced partners earn $217,000 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in South Carolina

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$182,900
Entry: $140K Senior: $270K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$114,700
Entry: $96K Senior: $171K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$68,200
Entry: $47K Senior: $102K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$52,700
Entry: $31K Senior: $93K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$120,900
Entry: $71K Senior: $198K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$60,760
Entry: $40K Senior: $92K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$44,640
Entry: $34K Senior: $59K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In South Carolina, BigLaw pays $122,140 more than government roles ($182,900 vs $60,760). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in South Carolina

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $154K Entry: $90K | Senior: $236K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $144K Entry: $93K | Senior: $248K ⚖ Antitrust Law $140K Entry: $90K | Senior: $236K 📈 Securities Law $133K Entry: $87K | Senior: $223K 🏛 Corporate Law $129K Entry: $84K | Senior: $217K © Intellectual Property $124K Entry: $78K | Senior: $198K 🏦 Banking & Finance $123K Entry: $81K | Senior: $208K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $115K Entry: $71K | Senior: $183K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $115K Entry: $71K | Senior: $183K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $110K Entry: $68K | Senior: $177K 📊 Tax Law $109K Entry: $68K | Senior: $174K ⚖ Energy Law $109K Entry: $68K | Senior: $174K 🌐 International Law $107K Entry: $65K | Senior: $171K 🎬 Entertainment Law $104K Entry: $53K | Senior: $171K ⚖ International Trade Law $104K Entry: $65K | Senior: $167K 🏥 Healthcare Law $102K Entry: $62K | Senior: $164K ⚖ Government Contracts $102K Entry: $62K | Senior: $164K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $96K Entry: $59K | Senior: $155K ⚖ Aviation Law $96K Entry: $59K | Senior: $152K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $92K Entry: $47K | Senior: $149K ⚖ Maritime Law $92K Entry: $55K | Senior: $146K 🔨 Litigation $92K Entry: $59K | Senior: $155K 👔 Employment Law $88K Entry: $55K | Senior: $143K ⚖ Sports Law $88K Entry: $47K | Senior: $146K 🏠 Real Estate $86K Entry: $53K | Senior: $136K 🏗 Construction Law $86K Entry: $51K | Senior: $136K 🌿 Environmental Law $84K Entry: $51K | Senior: $133K 🛒 Insurance Law $79K Entry: $48K | Senior: $127K 🩹 Personal Injury $78K Entry: $40K | Senior: $124K 📜 Estate Planning $67K Entry: $38K | Senior: $109K ⚖ Education Law $65K Entry: $38K | Senior: $102K 👪 Family Law $64K Entry: $36K | Senior: $102K 🚓 Criminal Law $61K Entry: $32K | Senior: $96K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $61K Entry: $40K | Senior: $92K 🧰 Workers Compensation $61K Entry: $36K | Senior: $96K ⚖ Criminal Defense $61K Entry: $32K | Senior: $96K 👴 Elder Law $57K Entry: $34K | Senior: $90K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $55K Entry: $32K | Senior: $90K 🌍 Immigration Law $53K Entry: $34K | Senior: $87K
Practice Area Comparison

In South Carolina, Patent Law lawyers earn $100,559 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($153,919 vs $53,360). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

South Carolina Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 12,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 2 ABA Law Schools
📍 Charleston Largest Legal Market
📈 93% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in South Carolina

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 7.9 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $183K
4.7 yrs
In-House $121K
7.2 yrs
Government $61K
14.3 yrs PSLF eligible
At South Carolina's average salary of $110,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 7.9 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How South Carolina compares to neighboring states

South Carolina Current
$110K
Virginia
$148K +35%
Georgia
$143K +30%
Florida
$139K +26%
North Carolina
$128K +16%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

South Carolina offers a cost of living 7% below the national average, making salaries go further. Median home price: $320,000 - significantly lower than coastal states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in South Carolina is $110,000, which is 38% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $62,998 for entry-level positions to $217,000 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in South Carolina, with an average salary of $153,919. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $89,900, while senior attorneys can earn $235,600 or more.

First-year lawyers in South Carolina earn an average of $62,998. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $139,500+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $40,300 to $46,500.

Major BigLaw firms in South Carolina typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in South Carolina is approximately $182,900, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

South Carolina ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $110,000 is 38% lower than compared to Virginia ($148K), Georgia ($143K), Florida ($139K).

Work as a Lawyer in South Carolina?

Help other legal professionals by sharing your salary information anonymously. Your contribution helps create salary transparency in the legal industry.

Submit Your Salary