Lawyers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$76,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$85,640
- 50th Percentile — Median$102,040
- 75th Percentile — Senior$141,270
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$234,690
Half of Lawyers in South Dakota earn more than $102,040. The top 10% make $234,690 or more, while entry-level workers start around $76,920.
Lawyers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 38th of 51 states for Lawyers pay, at $132,270 per year (28.8% below the U.S. average of $185,840).
- 1,360 people work as Lawyers in South Dakota — 0.2% of all U.S. Lawyers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.61: Lawyers jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,920; the top 10% earn over $234,690.
- Hourly equivalent: $63.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $242,800.
- Among legal jobs in South Dakota, Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners pays the most ($73,500).
Lawyers Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Lawyers here earn $132,270 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $132,270 is roughly equivalent to $152,034 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($144,760), South Carolina ($144,700), New Mexico ($138,250) are the closest alternatives for Lawyers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Legal Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Lawyers salary in South Dakota?
The average Lawyers salary in South Dakota is $132,270 per year (median $102,040), which is 28.8% below the national average of $185,840.
How does South Dakota rank for Lawyers pay?
South Dakota ranks 38th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($242,800/yr).
How much do entry-level Lawyers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Lawyers in South Dakota earn about $76,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $85,640.
How much do Lawyers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $63.59 per hour, based on the $132,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Lawyers work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 1,360 Lawyers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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