Paralegal in South Carolina

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$48,640

trending_down -20.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Carolina.

engineering

7,260

Jobs (SC)

monitoring Stable

+0.2%

10-yr job growth

payments

$50

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (dependent on national certification and renewal cycle)

Time to complete

route How to become a paralegal in South Carolina

While South Carolina does not mandate licensing or certification to work as a paralegal, the South Carolina Bar offers a voluntary certification program for those seeking the "South Carolina Certified Paralegal" (SCCP) designation. To qualify, applicants must already hold a national certification such as Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) by NALA, PACE-Registered Paralegal (PACE-RP) by NFPA, or Professional Paralegal (PP) by NALS. The application fee for the SCCP is $50, and certified paralegals must complete 10 hours of approved continuing education annually, including at least one hour in professional responsibility or professionalism.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,570

25th percentile $40,530

50th (median) $48,640

75th percentile $58,180

90th (experienced) $67,950

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Carolina. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Carolina requirements

Licensing body	South Carolina Bar
State license	Not required
Education	National certification (CLA/CP by NALA, PACE-RP by NFPA, or PP by NALS)
Exam	No state exam; requires national certification exam
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	10.0 hours per cycle
Notes	There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in South Carolina. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. The South Carolina Bar offers a voluntary certification program. To qualify for the South Carolina Certified Paralegal (SCCP) designation, applicants must hold a national certification (CLA/CP by NALA, PACE-RP by NFPA, or PP by NALS). At least one hour of the 10 required CE hours must be in professional responsibility or professionalism. A maximum of 10 hours may be carried forward to the next certification year.

Source: South Carolina Bar

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+0.2%

Average

Annual openings

39,300

Nationwide per year

Total employment

376,200

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.29/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a paralegal career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a paralegal in South Carolina? expand_more

In South Carolina, becoming a paralegal requires you to complete the required education (National certification (CLA/CP by NALA, PACE-RP by NFPA, or PP by NALS)), pass the No state exam; requires national certification exam, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Can I work as a paralegal in South Carolina without a license? expand_more

South Carolina does not require a state license for paralegals. Note: There is no mandatory state licensing or certification required to work as a paralegal in South Carolina. Regulation is through the supervising attorney. The South Carolina Bar offers a voluntary certification program. To qualify for the South Carolina Certified Paralegal (SCCP) designation, applicants must hold a national certification (CLA/CP by NALA, PACE-RP by NFPA, or PP by NALS). At least one hour of the 10 required CE hours must be in professional responsibility or professionalism. A maximum of 10 hours may be carried forward to the next certification year.

How much do paralegals make in South Carolina? expand_more

paralegals in South Carolina earn a median of $48,640 annually. This trails the $61,010 national median by 20%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $35,570, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $67,950.

How many months or years does paralegal certification take in South Carolina? expand_more

The typical timeline in South Carolina is Varies (dependent on national certification and renewal cycle). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What are the continuing education requirements for paralegals in South Carolina? expand_more

Yes — paralegals in South Carolina must complete 10.0 CE hours every 1.0 year to stay licensed.