Paralegal Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $24.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $24.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,030 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,616 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Paralegals in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect a median hourly pay of $24.53, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.30. This difference in pay might impact the choices of those working part-time or per diem, particularly in settings like local law firm cubicles, corporate legal offices, or during court hearings. For someone working three days a week, the hourly rate translates into financial stability, though it remains below the national benchmark. Entry-level paralegals may earn as little as $18.36 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the top of the scale can earn $31.42 per hour. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, indicating various employment conditions affecting the pay scale in Myrtle Beach.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.36 | $146.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.51 | $188.06 |
| Median (P50) | $24.53 | $196.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.59 | $236.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.42 | $251.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $24.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.53/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $51,026 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,438. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.27 | $4,252 | $51,026 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.76 | $2,551 | $30,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.51 | $1,701 | $20,411 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Myrtle Beach) | $24.53 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $51,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.61% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 9.50% below the South Carolina state average of $56,387.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.53/hr = $30,616/year (purchasing power: $32,694).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,026/year (purchasing power: $54,491).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Myrtle Beach grew 27.2% from $18.63/hr (2019) to $23.70/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.39/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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
Examining the earning potential for paralegals reveals some intriguing aspects of the profession. For a paralegal working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can significantly differ from a full-time position, creating a reality where some may seek per diem opportunities that can range from $25 to $50 an hour for contract work. Freelancers specializing in e-discovery or trial preparation can sometimes command even higher rates, and the competition amongst different employer types in Myrtle Beach—from boutique law firms to corporate in-house departments—can also influence what paralegals earn. Some may choose positions that offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, trading off immediate pay for peace of mind. Additionally, negotiation skills are crucial; paralegals should assess their market value based on their skill set, particularly if they have specialized certifications recognized by entities like NALA or NFPA, which can help boost their appeal and pay rate in the local job market.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach. 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