Lawyer salary in South Dakota
Lawyers in South Dakota earn a median of $102,040 a year ($49.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $234,690 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $159,670. South Dakota ranks 47th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.0 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $132,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| 25th percentile | $85,640 | $41.17 |
| Median | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| 75th percentile | $141,270 | $67.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $234,690 | $112.83 |
| Average (mean) | $132,270 | $63.59 |
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 | $8,503.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,251.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,924.62 |
| Weekly | $1,962.31 |
| Hourly | $49.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $120,790 | 150 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,260 | 570 |
| Rapid City, SD | $99,430 | 260 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for lawyers in South Dakota is $102,040 a year, or $49.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $234,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of lawyers in South Dakota earn at least $234,690 a year. The top 25% earn $141,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,920 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $85,640 or less.
How many lawyers work in South Dakota?
About 1,360 lawyers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.