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Attorney Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$135,740/ year

Median Attorney in Charleston, SC

$63,960
10th
$78,000
25th
$135,740
Median
$208,000
75th
$253,760
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$135,740
Total compensation (est.)
$156,101
Bonus range
$3,900 – $24,960
Mean salary
$143,884

How This Compares

ℹ

Local BLS metro data isn't available for Charleston yet — showing the national median as a reference. Add local data →

Charleston, SC median
$135,740
South Carolina median
$138,455-2.0%
National median
$135,740

Cost of living in Charleston is 0% below the national average. Salary of $135,740 here is equivalent to $135,740 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$97,733-28.0%
3-5 years
$123,523-9.0%
6-10 years
$152,029+12.0%
10+ years
$187,321+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$119,451-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$135,740
Enterprise (5,000+)
$160,173+18.0%

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Attorney Salaries in Nearby Cities

Columbia, SC$135,740/yr
North Charleston, SC$135,740/yr
Greenville, SC$135,740/yr

Related Jobs in Charleston

Paralegal$59,200/yr
Legal Secretary$58,340/yr
Compliance Officer$73,660/yr
Contract Manager$73,660/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$65/hr
Monthly gross$11,312/mo
25th percentile$78,000/yr
75th percentile$208,000/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

South Carolina Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.8%+0.20

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Attorney Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Attorney salary in Charleston?

The median Attorney salary in Charleston is $135,740 per year, with a range from $78,000 at the 25th percentile to $208,000 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Attorney pay in Charleston compare to the national average?

Attorney salaries in Charleston are 0% above the national median of $135,740. After adjusting for Charleston's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $135,740 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Attorney salaries in Charleston?

In Charleston, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Attorney roles start around $63,960, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $253,760 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Charleston a good place for Attorney jobs?

Charleston offers a Attorney median of $135,740, which is 0% above the US median of $135,740. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Charleston is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Attorney salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Attorney in Charleston is $208,000, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.