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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Lawyer Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$102,040/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$49.06/hr
▼ 36% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
1,360
public U.S. Median
$159,670
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$115,188 #43 of 51

Lawyer pay in South Dakota, explained

Lawyers in South Dakota earn a median of $102,040 per year ($49.06 per hour), which is 36% below the national median of $159,670. Entry-level workers earn around $76,920, while the most experienced lawyers reach about $234,690. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $102,040 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $102,040 is worth about $115,188 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #43 for real pay (vs #47 on the sticker number).

See the full Lawyer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Lawyer pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$76,920
$36.98/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$102,040
$49.06/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$234,690
$112.83/hr

Lawyer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $102,040 $115,188 —
Minnesota $155,140 $157,309 −$53,100
Iowa $123,550 $140,778 −$21,510
Nebraska $109,170 $121,161 −$7,130
North Dakota $106,880 $120,145 −$4,840
Montana $103,720 $109,588 −$1,680
Wyoming $100,130 $108,026 +$1,910

Lawyer in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do lawyers make in South Dakota?

Lawyers in South Dakota earn a median of $102,040 per year ($49.06 per hour), compared with $159,670 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay lawyers well?

At $102,040, South Dakota pays 36% below the national median for lawyers. An estimated 1,360 work in the state.

Lawyer salary in other states

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 Pennsylvania · $157,180 Minnesota · $155,140

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in South Dakota

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