Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in Columbia
In Columbia (SC), the median pay for paralegals and legal assistants is $27.51 an hour ($57,220 a year). About 1,790 people work in this job there.
That is 9% lower than the U.S. median ($62,890). It is 6% higher than the South Carolina median ($53,880).
Pay range for paralegals and legal assistants in Columbia (SC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.99 | $39,490 |
| 25% of workers | $22.71 | $47,240 |
| Half of workers (median) | $27.51 | $57,220 |
| 75% of workers | $30.52 | $63,480 |
| 90% of workers | $36.49 | $75,900 |
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay in South Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | $57,780 | 1,600 |
| Columbia (this page) | $57,220 | 1,790 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | $57,030 | 1,490 |
| Spartanburg | $55,000 | 280 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | $53,930 | 300 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | $49,300 | 500 |
| Florence | $48,230 | 210 |
| Sumter | $46,750 | 90 |
South Carolina unemployment rate: 4.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for paralegals and legal assistants
- Typical education to start: Associate's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -0.3% over ten years, little or no change · about 40,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Columbia (SC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $38,320 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,620 |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $56,230 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.