Paralegal Salary in South Dakota
Based on 600+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$58,320
$28.04/hr
vs National Average
$62,104
-6.1% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$49K – $84K
600 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Paralegal in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,890 |
| 25th percentile | $53,730 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $58,320 |
| 75th percentile | $67,200 |
| 90th percentile | $84,090 |
Top-Paying Industries for Paralegal (U.S.)
Which industries pay Paralegals the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Paralegals in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale Trade | $97,880 | 710 |
| Manufacturing | $97,640 | 1K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $96,380 | 110 |
| Utilities | $95,330 | 280 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $94,940 | 1K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Paralegal in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $54,100 |
| 2023 | $59,040 |
| 2024 | $57,300 |
| 2025 | $58,320 |
| 2026 (projected) | $59,358 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $54,100 | $55,984 |
| 2023 | $59,040 | $58,945 |
| 2024 | $57,300 | $58,959 |
| 2025 | $58,320 | $62,104 |
| 2026 (projected) | $59,358 | $63,210 |
Paralegal Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $53,730 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $58,320 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $67,200 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $84,090 |
Paralegal Salary in Other States
Related Paralegal Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Paralegal ($58,320 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Paralegal | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer in SD | $102,040 | +75.0% | $49.06/hr |
| Title Examiner in SD | $59,300 | +1.7% | $28.51/hr |
| Computer Programmer in SD | $58,240 | -0.1% | $28.00/hr |
| Truck Driver in SD | $58,690 | +0.6% | $28.22/hr |
| Instructional Coordinator in SD | $57,910 | -0.7% | $27.84/hr |
| Editor in SD | $56,730 | -2.7% | $27.27/hr |
| Writer and Author in SD | $56,700 | -2.8% | $27.26/hr |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer in SD | $60,110 | +3.1% | $28.90/hr |
| Producer and Director in SD | $60,260 | +3.3% | $28.97/hr |
| Police Officer in SD | $60,740 | +4.1% | $29.20/hr |
| Electrician in SD | $61,390 | +5.3% | $29.51/hr |
| Training and Development Specialist in SD | $61,570 | +5.6% | $29.60/hr |