SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — Northeastern South Carolina
Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
At $46,690, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 25.8% beneath the national figure of $62,890.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $46,690, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Paralegals and Legal Assistants, 25.8% beneath the national figure of $62,890. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,910 and $57,030. The lowest tenth earn under $35,580, while the highest tenth earn more than $61,970.
The area has 170 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.89 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Greenville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $57,780. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 150th of 268 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,580 | −43.4% |
| 25th | $36,910 | −41.3% |
| Median (50th) | $46,690 | −25.8% |
| 75th | $57,030 | −9.3% |
| 90th | $61,970 | −1.5% |
| Mean | $47,750 | −24.1% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville | $57,780 | 1,600 | |
| 2 | Columbia | $57,220 | 1,790 | |
| 3 | Charleston | $57,030 | 1,490 | |
| 4 | Spartanburg | $55,000 | 280 | |
| 5 | Hilton Head Island | $53,930 | 300 | |
| 6 | Myrtle Beach | $49,300 | 500 | |
| 7 | Florence | $48,230 | 210 | |
| 8 | Sumter | $46,750 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeastern South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $46,690 goes as far as $49,829 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,829US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,690 a year, 25.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,580 to $61,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Greenville, at $57,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Northeastern South Carolina, SC?
The median annual wage is $46,690, or $22.45 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,890, so pay in Northeastern South Carolina, SC is 25.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northeastern South Carolina, SC earns more than $61,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,580 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Greenville, at $57,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Northeastern South Carolina, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data