Legal North Charleston, SC Pop. 115,382

Judge Salary in North Charleston, South Carolina

The median judge salary in North Charleston, SC is $140,629 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$140,629
vs State Avg
+$8,882
vs National
$-7,401
Cost of Living
95%

Judge Pay in North Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

North Charleston offers a median judge salary of $140,629, which is $8,882 above the South Carolina state average of $131,747. Compared to the national median of $148,030, North Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

North Charleston's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for judges in North Charleston spans from $55,100 at the 10th percentile to $218,500 at the 90th percentile — a $163,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,750, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $204,250. With a population of 115,382, North Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Judge Salary in North Charleston by Experience

In North Charleston, an entry-level judge earns around $61,750, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,750
$-3,250 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$142,500
$-7,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$204,250
$-10,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in North Charleston, SC

Percentile North Charleston
10th Percentile $55,100
25th Percentile $85,500
Median (50th) $140,629
75th Percentile $185,250
90th Percentile $218,500

Judge Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$155,432
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$148,030
Pop. 150,227
Greenville, SC
$136,188
Pop. 72,095
Columbia, SC
$133,227
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Judge in North Charleston

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. North Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in North Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in North Charleston

Browse open judge positions in North Charleston, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in North Charleston

How much does a Judge make in North Charleston, SC? ▼
The median judge salary in North Charleston, South Carolina is $140,629 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $55,100 (10th percentile) to $218,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in North Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $140,629, a judge in North Charleston earns approximately $68 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does North Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for judge pay? ▼
North Charleston's median judge salary of $140,629 is 6.7% above the South Carolina state average of $131,747. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in North Charleston, SC? ▼
North Charleston has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $140,629 in North Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in North Charleston? ▼
Most judge positions in North Charleston require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Interpretation, Judicial Reasoning, Court Procedures, Impartiality. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.