Paralegal Salary in South Carolina: $57,904 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $57,904/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,283 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greer ($59,174), Anderson ($59,114), North Charleston ($58,246).
In South Carolina, paralegal salaries are projected to average $57,903 in 2026, reflecting an 11.1% gap compared to the national median salary of $65,097. The highest-paying city is Greer, where paralegals can expect to earn $61,251, while the lowest is Sumter at $48,391, revealing a salary difference of $12,860. This variation is influenced by factors such as the concentration of law firms, demand for paralegal services, and the cost of living in each city. South Carolina does not require state-specific licensing for paralegals, but adherence to ethical guidelines and competency standards is crucial. The state's legal landscape is driven by a growing population and increasing legal complexities, which contribute to a steady demand for skilled paralegals. The projected annual growth rate for paralegal jobs in the state is 3.51%, indicating a favorable job market outlook for both new and experienced professionals. Key cities for paralegal employment include Anderson at $61,189, North Charleston at $60,290, Greenville at $59,808, and Columbia at $59,228. These factors suggest that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the job prospects for paralegals in South Carolina remain strong and steadily expanding.
South Carolina Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $37,533 (lowest entry-level) to $94,939 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina paralegals earn 11.05% less than the national median ($-7,193/year difference).
South Carolina Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in South Carolina range from $40,833 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,514 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,904. The South Carolina median is $7,193 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $27.84/hr. Approximately 6,401 paralegals are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,748
2025 BLS Actual
$55,940
2026 Current Est.
$57,904
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,748 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,288 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,904 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 25.0% from $44,748 (2019) to $55,940 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,188 (33.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sumter | $48,391 |
| Florence | $49,923 |
| Conway | $50,090 |
| Myrtle Beach | $51,030 |
| Clemson | $51,915 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greer | $61,251 | 91.5 | $66,941 |
| Anderson | $61,189 | 91.5 | $66,873 |
| North Charleston | $60,290 | 91.5 | $65,891 |
| Greenville | $59,808 | 93.26 | $64,130 |
| Columbia | $59,228 | 93.662 | $63,236 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,833 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,904 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,514 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greer | $61,251 |
| 2 | Anderson | $61,189 |
| 3 | North Charleston | $60,290 |
| 4 | Greenville | $59,808 |
| 5 | Columbia | $59,228 |
| 6 | Charleston | $59,032 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant | $57,204 |
| 8 | Spartanburg | $56,930 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $56,150 |
| 10 | Aiken | $55,904 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $55,825 |
| 12 | Hilton Head Island | $55,823 |
| 13 | Mauldin | $55,497 |
| 14 | Summerville | $55,199 |
| 15 | Bluffton | $54,762 |
| 16 | Simpsonville | $54,289 |
| 17 | Fort Mill | $54,264 |
| 18 | Goose Creek | $54,137 |
| 19 | Lexington | $53,251 |
| 20 | Easley | $52,300 |
| 21 | Tega Cay | $52,013 |
| 22 | Clemson | $51,915 |
| 23 | Myrtle Beach | $51,030 |
| 24 | Conway | $50,090 |
| 25 | Florence | $49,923 |
| 26 | Sumter | $48,391 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore paralegal hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced paralegals.
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in South Carolina in 2026?
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How does South Carolina paralegal pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level paralegal salary in South Carolina?
How many paralegals are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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