South Dakota ranks 48th of 50 states and D.C. for lawyers pay, trailing top-paying California ($197,790) by $101,240 — a 105% gap.
Lawyers are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.51 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.96× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $67,580 | $32.49 |
| 25th percentile | $81,060 | $38.97 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| 75th percentile | $140,900 | $67.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $226,520 | $108.90 |
| Mean (average) | $129,500 | $62.26 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $96,550 | n/a |
| California | $197,790 | +105% |
| District of Columbia | $191,880 | +99% |
| Massachusetts | $179,050 | +85% |
| New York | $177,210 | +84% |
| Delaware | $172,710 | +79% |
| Colorado | $167,970 | +74% |
| Connecticut | $159,240 | +65% |
| New Jersey | $158,470 | +64% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $96,960 | 470 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | $95,850 | 1,050 |
| Civil Engineers | $95,110 | 1,270 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $94,630 | 70 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $98,550 | N/A |
| Facilities Managers | $99,260 | 350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Lawyers salary in South Dakota?
The mean lawyers salary in South Dakota is $129,500 per year. The median (middle) salary is $96,550 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Lawyers in South Dakota?
Entry-level lawyerss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $67,580 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $81,060 per year.
What is the highest Lawyers salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $226,520 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $140,900 per year.
How does the South Dakota Lawyers salary compare to the national average?
The median lawyers salary in South Dakota is $96,550, which is -36% below national average of $151,160.