Charleston-North Charleston, SC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $129,600 ($62.31/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $68,000/year and the 90th was $324,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $94,061 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.0 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$129,600$62.31 per hour · $10,800 monthly
10th Percentile$68,000$32.69/hr base
25th Percentile$87,100$41.88/hr base
75th Percentile$188,100$90.43/hr base
90th Percentile$324,300$155.91/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$129,600
$50,000$260,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$129,600
Net 73%
Fed 15%
SC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$94,061After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,838Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,618Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate27.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$19,838 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$5,786 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,914 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (SC)
10th Percentile$32.69/hr$5,667$68,000$54,475
25th Percentile$41.88/hr$7,258$87,100$66,645
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$62.31/hr$10,800$129,600$94,061
75th Percentile$90.43/hr$15,675$188,100$131,222
90th Percentile$155.91/hr$27,025$324,300$214,471

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$129,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,254Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.01% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio152%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Charleston-North Charleston, SC

What is the median salary for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $129,600, which equates to approximately $10,800 per month or $62.31 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $62.31 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $32.69/hour and one in ten earned more than $155.91/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC span from $68,000 at the 10th percentile to $87,100 at the 25th, $188,100 at the 75th, and $324,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On a median gross salary of $129,600, an estimated $94,061 lands in net take-home pay per year ($3,618 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $35,539 (an effective rate of 27.4%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

On the median annual salary of $129,600, gross monthly income is $10,800. After federal, FICA, and South Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $7,838 per month (or $3,618 every two weeks).

Is $129,600 a good salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?

At $129,600, the median salary for lawyers is 152% of the Charleston-North Charleston, SC median household income ($85,254). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.0, making regional consumer goods and services 1% more expensive than the U.S. average.