Paralegal Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $28.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Greenville, SC runs $28.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,808 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,886 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, South Carolina, the paralegal hourly pay is set at a median of $28.76, which is slightly below the national median of $31.30. This rate positions paralegals working in a variety of environments, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices, with considerable options for part-time and per-diem work. For instance, those working three days a week typically earn a significant amount but may not qualify for full benefits, which can be a trade-off for flexibility. The hourly rate ranges from $19.44 for entry-level positions to $37.91 for those at the upper echelons, reflecting the diverse skill sets and responsibilities expected in different legal settings. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, offering a clear view of the current employment landscape for paralegals in the region.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.44 | $155.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.96 | $191.70 |
| Median (P50) | $28.76 | $230.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.66 | $245.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.91 | $303.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $28.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.76/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $59,811 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,506. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.20 | $4,984 | $59,811 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.12 | $2,991 | $35,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.08 | $1,994 | $23,924 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Greenville) | $28.76 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Greenville, SC earn a median of $59,808 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.12% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 6.10% above the South Carolina state average of $56,370.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.76/hr = $35,886/year (purchasing power: $38,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,811/year (purchasing power: $64,133).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Greenville grew 26.4% from $21.97/hr (2019) to $27.78/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.76/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Greenville
Those considering part-time paralegal work in Greenville may find enticing earning potential. A typical fifteen-hour workweek translates into about $22,000 annually, which can be a noteworthy source of income depending on other commitments. Per-diem or agency roles vary widely, often charging between $25 and $50 per hour, while specialized contract positions like e-discovery teams can yield even higher rates, reaching upwards of $60. The type of employer drastically affects pay rates. While larger firms may offer higher compensation, they often come with demanding schedules. Conversely, roles in corporate entities might provide a more manageable work-life balance. Future paralegals must weigh the benefits of healthcare and other perks against higher hourly wages devoid of such benefits. For effective negotiation, it’s wise to understand local market salaries and align them with the demands and skills required by prospective employers in Greenville, SC.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Greenville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov