How much does a lawyer make in Charleston?
$127,300a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $61.19 an hour or $10,610 a month.
- Hourly
- $61.19
- Vs. national median
- -20%
- Rank among cities
- 146 of 378
- Jobs in the area
- 1,590
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $75,960Median: $127,300Highest 10%: $273,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $75,960 | $36.52 | |
| 25th | $84,210 | $40.49 | |
| Median | $127,300 | $61.19 | |
| 75th | $175,400 | $84.32 | |
| 90th | $273,000 | $131.25 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for lawyers.
| Charlotte, NC | $157,200 |
| Greenville, SC | $125,000 |
| Augusta, GA | $124,000 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $120,300 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $119,000 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $107,700 |
| Columbia, SC | $105,200 |
| Sumter, SC | $101,900 |
| Florence, SC | $96,790 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Judge | $98,120 |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $57,030 |
| Title Examiner | $52,990 |
| Legal Support Worker | $43,730 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $61.19 ($127,300 a year).
Do lawyers make more in Charleston than the national average?
No: $127,300 against $159,700 nationally, 20% less.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $120,300, so Charleston pays 6% more.
Where does Charleston rank for lawyer pay?
146 of 378 metro areas with data.
How much does a lawyer make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $75,960 or less a year; the top 10% make $273,000 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.