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

Paralegal Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$58,320/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$28.04/hr
▼ 7% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
600
public U.S. Median
$62,890
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$65,834 #15 of 51

Paralegal pay in South Dakota, explained

Paralegals in South Dakota earn a median of $58,320 per year ($28.04 per hour), which is 7% below the national median of $62,890. Entry-level workers earn around $48,890, while the most experienced paralegals reach about $84,090. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $58,320 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $58,320 is worth about $65,834 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #15 for real pay (vs #38 on the sticker number).

See the full Paralegal Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Paralegal pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$48,890
$23.50/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$58,320
$28.04/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$84,090
$40.43/hr

Paralegal pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $58,320 $65,834
Minnesota $75,570 $76,627 −$17,250
Nebraska $63,250 $70,197 −$4,930
North Dakota $59,430 $66,806 −$1,110
Montana $57,290 $60,531 +$1,030
Iowa $54,550 $62,157 +$3,770
Wyoming $49,490 $53,392 +$8,830

Paralegal in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do paralegals make in South Dakota?

Paralegals in South Dakota earn a median of $58,320 per year ($28.04 per hour), compared with $62,890 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay paralegals well?

At $58,320, South Dakota pays 7% below the national median for paralegals. An estimated 600 work in the state.

Paralegal salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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