Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$53,730
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,320
- 75th Percentile — Senior$67,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,090
Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Dakota earn more than $58,320. The top 10% make $84,090 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,890.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 32nd of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $62,260 per year (10.7% below the U.S. average of $69,700).
- 600 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Dakota — 0.2% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
- Location quotient 0.52: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,890; the top 10% earn over $84,090.
- Hourly equivalent: $29.93 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
- Among legal jobs in South Dakota, Lawyers pays the most ($132,270).
Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $62,260 on average, placing the state 32nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $62,260 is roughly equivalent to $71,563 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($64,180), West Virginia ($63,590), Nebraska ($63,480) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in South Dakota?
The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in South Dakota is $62,260 per year (median $58,320), which is 10.7% below the national average of $69,700.
How does South Dakota rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?
South Dakota ranks 32nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).
How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in South Dakota earn about $48,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $53,730.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in South Dakota?
About $29.93 per hour, based on the $62,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 600 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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