Charleston County Attorney Natalie A. Ham is now the highest-paid employee in county government, following the approval of a new contract on April 22 by the Charleston County Council.
The agreement sets Ham’s base salary at just over $300,000 annually and includes additional benefits that push her total compensation past $400,000. Notably, the contract includes a $2,000 monthly vehicle allowance, an uncommon perk in public-sector roles.
Ham was originally hired by the county in March 2021 with a starting salary of $225,000, replacing longtime County Attorney Joe Dawson, who was appointed as a federal judge. At the time, Ham served as general counsel for Charleston County School District.
Ham’s initial contract was approved after weeks of private negotiations. Charleston County Council officially voted on her selection March 4, though three of the nine council members—Brantley Moody, Jenny Honeycutt, and Herb Sass—voted against the hire. All three cited concerns flagged by the county’s Human Resources department over Ham’s personal financial history, including credit issues and foreclosures.
Critics say the compensation is excessive. Charleston County GOP Chair Maurice Kobrovsky called the salary hard to justify, especially when compared to national and state figures. The U.S. Attorney General earns $250,000 annually, while South Carolina’s Attorney General earns just over $200,000.
Among county attorneys in South Carolina, only York County’s Michael Kendree comes close to Ham’s pay, earning $236,500. By comparison, Greenville County Attorney Mark Tollison makes $191,531, and Aiken County Attorney Bradley Farrar earns $151,409.
Meanwhile, the average salary in South Carolina stands at $54,250, underscoring the growing gap between public officials and everyday residents.