Lawyer salary in South Carolina
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A lawyer in South Carolina earns a median of $120,310 a year ($57.84/hour equivalent), 24.7% below the national median of $159,670. South Carolina ranks #36 of 51 states. About 7,890 people do this job in South Carolina.
Take-home pay in South Carolina
At the South Carolina median, a single filer keeps about $88,166 a year after federal, FICA and South Carolina taxes — $3,391 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the South Carolina paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,627.31
- Federal income tax
- −$678.39
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$286.89
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$67.10
- South Carolina income tax
- −$203.93
- Take-home pay
- $3,391.00
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $120,310
- Federal
- $17,638
- FICA
- $9,204
- State + local
- $5,302
- Net
- $88,166
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 5.2%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How South Carolina compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York | $207,860 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| #3 | California | $195,080 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| #5 | Delaware | $173,510 |
| #36 | South Carolina | $120,310 |
| #49 | Wyoming | $100,130 |
| #50 | Arkansas | $98,880 |
| #51 | Mississippi | $91,690 |
See the national lawyer salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Lawyers (SOC 23-1011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in South Carolina?
The median salary is $120,310 a year and the average is $144,700 (BLS May 2025).
Is South Carolina a good state for lawyers?
South Carolina ranks #36 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 25% below the national median of $159,670.
What is $120,310 after taxes in South Carolina?
About $88,166 a year ($3,391 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.