Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in South Dakota
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in South Dakota is $57,300/year ($27.55/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $57K get you in South Dakota?
About paralegals and legal assistants
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary by metro in South Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $55K | -4% | 310 |
| Rapid City | $51K | -10% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track paralegals and legal assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in South Dakota?
The median is $57,300 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,020, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $84,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,007/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 25.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a paralegals and legal assistants salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paralegals and legal assistants salary is worth about $63,745 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paralegals and legal assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.