Legal South Carolina (SC) Rank #40 of 50

Judge Salary in South Carolina

The median judge salary in South Carolina is $131,747 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $148,030.

Median Salary

$131,747

vs National

$-16,283

State Rank

#40 of 50

Cost of Living

89%

Judge Salary in South Carolina by Experience

In South Carolina, an entry-level judge earns around $57,850, while experienced professionals earn up to $191,350 per year. The cost of living index in South Carolina is 89% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$57,850

$-7,150 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$133,500

$-16,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$191,350

$-23,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in South Carolina

Percentile	SC Salary	National	Difference
10th Percentile	$51,620	$58,000	$-6,380
25th Percentile	$80,100	$90,000	$-9,900
Median (50th)	$131,747	$148,030	$-16,283
75th Percentile	$173,550	$195,000	$-21,450
90th Percentile	$204,700	$230,000	$-25,300

Judge Salary by City in South Carolina

The largest employment areas for judges in South Carolina include Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and North Charleston. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

Charleston, SC

$148,030

Pop. 150,227 · COL 100%

Columbia, SC

$133,227

Pop. 131,674 · COL 90%

Greenville, SC

$136,188

Pop. 72,095 · COL 92%

North Charleston, SC

$140,629

Pop. 115,382 · COL 95%

Mount Pleasant, SC

$155,432

Pop. 94,171 · COL 105%

How to Become a Judge in South Carolina

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. South Carolina has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook in South Carolina

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). South Carolina's demand may vary based on local industry trends.