How much does a judge make in Columbia?
$94,400a year
Median yearly pay for judges in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $45.38 an hour or $7,867 a month.
- Hourly
- $45.38
- Vs. national median
- -39%
- Rank among cities
- 78 of 98
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,710Median: $94,400Highest 10%: $211,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,710 | $19.57 | |
| 25th | $58,800 | $28.27 | |
| Median | $94,400 | $45.38 | |
| 75th | $131,400 | $63.17 | |
| 90th | $211,800 | $101.85 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for judges.
| Spartanburg, SC | $123,000 |
| Greenville, SC | $99,400 |
| Charleston, SC | $98,120 |
| Augusta, GA | $85,260 |
| Charlotte, NC | $72,610 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Lawyer | $105,200 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $80,820 |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $57,220 |
| Legal Support Worker | $57,160 |
| Title Examiner | $50,920 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $47,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a judge make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $45.38 ($94,400 a year).
Do judges make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $94,400 against $154,000 nationally, 39% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $86,210, so Columbia pays 10% more.
Where does Columbia rank for judge pay?
78 of 98 metro areas with data.
How much does a judge make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,710 or less a year; the top 10% make $211,800 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.