South Carolina Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Beginning a career as a paralegal in South Carolina usually requires at least a degree. On this page, you will find South Carolina paralegal salary information, job outlook, and career-focused resources to answer the many common questions about starting a career in the legal field.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in South Carolina
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in South Carolina
South Carolina has no specific requirements to begin a career as a paralegal. However, most paralegals in the state have some level of educational experience in the field and often some form of practical experience through internships or entry-level employment. A combination of education and experience can help prospective paralegals stand out to potential employers. Following are the basic steps to becoming a paralegal in South Carolina:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
While a paralegal education is not required to become a paralegal in South Carolina, many employers prefer or even require candidates to have an associate degree in legal studies, bachelor’s in paralegal studies, or certificate in paralegal studies. South Carolina is home to many schools that offer paralegal programs, including seven that have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).1
2. Gain experience.
Gaining hands-on experience is an essential part of beginning a paralegal career. Many of the paralegal programs in South Carolina offer work-study opportunities such as cooperative education, internships, or job shadowing. These educational opportunities can help prospective paralegals gain experience, make industry connections, and develop an understanding of the profession.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
South Carolina does not require professional certification to work as a paralegal. However, voluntary national certification from groups such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association) or the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) can indicate a higher level of skill and experience to potential employers. You can read more about paralegal certification below.
Paralegal Certification in South Carolina
Paralegals and legal assistants in South Carolina may perform law-related tasks under the direct supervision of a qualified attorney and do not require certification or licensure. South Carolina paralegals may seek voluntary certification at the national and state level. Those who have completed an education program in paralegal or legal studies may be eligible to pursue national credentials such as the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA)/Certified Paralegal (CP) designation from NALA, the Professional Paralegal (PP) designation from NALS, the Association for Legal Professionals, or the PACE-Registered Paralegal (RP) designation from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA). You can find more information on paralegal certification on our Steps to Become a Paralegal page.
South Carolina Certification
The South Carolina State Bar awards a voluntary credential, the South Carolina Certified Paralegal, for paralegals working in the state who have achieved the CLA/CP designation from NALA, the PP designation from NALS, the Association for Legal Professionals, or the PACE-RP designation from the NFPA. You can read more about the qualifications required to become an SC Certified Paralegal on the South Carolina Bar website.
South Carolina Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
10.1%
Paralegals in South Carolina from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that there were 7,050 paralegals and legal assistants employed in South Carolina, earning an average of $50,820 per year.3 South Carolina has the fifth-highest concentration of paralegals in the nation.3 Projections Central has projected paralegal employment in South Carolina to grow by 10.1%, with 750 average annual job openings.2 This is significantly higher than the 4.2% growth expected for paralegal jobs across the US.2
South Carolina Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 7,050 | $50,820 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 1,550 | $51,190 |
| Columbia | 1,770 | $55,170 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin | 1,330 | $50,470 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 600 | $46,860 |
| Spartanburg | 240 | $50,890 |
Paralegal Employers in South Carolina
Paralegals in South Carolina can find work in corporate offices, government agencies, and private law offices. Corporate offices may also provide opportunities for paralegals and legal assistants within their internal legal departments. Paralegals may also find opportunities in government agencies, which often require legal professionals.
LinkedIn allows users to search for “paralegal” based on geography (South Carolina or city-level) to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in South Carolina with the most LinkedIn users identifying as paralegals include:
- Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.
- McAngus Goudelock & Courie
- Motley Rice
- Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
- Rogers Townsend, LLC
- South Carolina Department of Social Services
- US Army
You can find more information on the career opportunities available to paralegals on our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in South Carolina with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in South Carolina
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geographical location and/or area of law.
- Charleston Association of Legal Assistants (CALA): Affiliated with NALA and offers member benefits such as professional networking, continuing education seminars, and community service events.
- Palmetto Paralegal Association (PPA): Seeks to promote professional development among paralegals through continuing education and increase recognition of paralegals in the legal community.
- South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association (SCUPA): Encourages good relations among paralegals and the legal community, growth of the paralegal profession through education, and giving back to the communities in which its members work and live.
Additional Resources
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in South Carolina, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- Richland County Bar Association: Posts South Carolina paralegal jobs with a focus on the Columbia area.
- South Carolina Bar: Maintains a Careers and Classifieds Section that frequently posts paralegal jobs in South Carolina.
- South Carolina Judicial Branch: Allows visitors to access the South Carolina Supreme Court, Trial Courts, and Court of Appeals, including e-filing systems and court calendars.
- South Carolina Paralegal Interview: Our interview with Labor and Employment Lawyer Kristin Gray.
- South Carolina Supreme Court Library: Open to legal professionals and the general public and home to over 40,000 print volumes focused on South Carolina law.
- University of South Carolina School of Law Coleman Karesh Law Library: The largest law library in the state of South Carolina, with over 500,000 volumes containing research materials for US, foreign, international, and comparative law.
References:
1. American Bar Association Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections, 2022-2032: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm