Lawyer salary in Rapid City, SD
Lawyers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $99,430 a year ($47.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,990 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $102,040. There are 3.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $119,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| 25th percentile | $81,490 | $39.18 |
| Median | $99,430 | $47.80 |
| 75th percentile | $133,100 | $63.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,990 | $100.96 |
| Average (mean) | $119,690 | $57.54 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,285.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,142.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,824.23 |
| Weekly | $1,912.12 |
| Hourly | $47.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $120,790 | 150 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,260 | 570 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $58,680 | $28.21 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for lawyers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $99,430 a year, or $47.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $209,990 a year. The top 25% earn $133,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,790 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $81,490 or less.
How many lawyers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 260 lawyers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.