How much does a lawyer make in Columbia?
$105,200a year
Median yearly pay for lawyers in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $50.58 an hour or $8,767 a month.
- Hourly
- $50.58
- Vs. national median
- -34%
- Rank among cities
- 282 of 378
- Jobs in the area
- 1,950
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,030Median: $105,200Highest 10%: $293,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,030 | $30.30 | |
| 25th | $80,870 | $38.88 | |
| Median | $105,200 | $50.58 | |
| 75th | $169,200 | $81.33 | |
| 90th | $293,300 | $141.03 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for lawyers.
| Charlotte, NC | $157,200 |
| Charleston, SC | $127,300 |
| Greenville, SC | $125,000 |
| Augusta, GA | $124,000 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $120,300 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $119,000 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $107,700 |
| Sumter, SC | $101,900 |
| Florence, SC | $96,790 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Judge | $94,400 |
| 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 lawyer make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $50.58 ($105,200 a year).
Do lawyers make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $105,200 against $159,700 nationally, 34% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $120,300, so Columbia pays 13% less.
Where does Columbia rank for lawyer pay?
282 of 378 metro areas with data.
How much does a lawyer make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $63,030 or less a year; the top 10% make $293,300 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.