Paralegal salary in South Dakota
The median paralegal in South Dakota earns $58,320 a year, or $28.04 an hour, in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 survey. That is 7% below the national median of $62,890, and 38th of the 54 states and territories BLS publishes.
The middle half of South Dakota’s 600 paralegals earn between $53,730 and $67,200. The highest paying metro area in the state is Sioux Falls, SD-MN, at $60,060.
Liaison does the routine half of a paralegal’s job for 10% of what one costs in South Dakota. See how.
Paralegal salary by city in South Dakota
Every metro area in South Dakota where BLS publishes a median for paralegals, highest first. A metro that crosses a state line appears under each of its states.
| Metro area | Median annual | Median hourly | Middle half earns | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,060 | $28.88 | $56,510 to $68,590 | 260 |
| Rapid City, SD | $56,720 | $27.27 | $50,240 to $60,220 | 150 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $56,100 | $26.97 | $48,270 to $62,650 | 80 |
What a paralegal costs an employer in South Dakota
Wages are the start. At employers with fewer than 50 workers, benefits add 35% on top (BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation), so a paralegal at the South Dakota median costs about $78,700 a year. The employer’s view for every state and metro is on what a paralegal costs, and the routine part of the job is what Liaison does inside the tools a business already runs.
The routine half of a paralegal’s job, for 10% of what one costs in South Dakota.
- Reads the inbox, the calendar and the matter files together, so every follow-up knows the matter.
- Drafts the routine client updates and the chase for the missing document, in your voice.
- Keeps deadlines, intake and billing details current across the tools the firm runs.
Professional is $629 a month, $7,548 a year, against about $78,700 a year for a paralegal at the South Dakota median once benefits are added. On Professional we connect your tools, bring your data in and set up the first rules with you. Anything that moves money waits for your yes.
“Cut our month-end close from 4 days to 4 hours.” Marcus C., owner
$629 a month, or $500 a month on a 12-month term. Prefer to start on your own? Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with a free trial first: 7 days, no card. More: AI for law firms.
Questions
How much does a paralegal make in South Dakota?
The median paralegal in South Dakota earned $58,320 a year, or $28.04 an hour, in May 2025. The middle half earned between $53,730 and $67,200. Nationally the median is $62,890, so South Dakota pays 7% less than the country as a whole.
Which cities in South Dakota pay paralegals the most?
Sioux Falls, SD-MN ($60,060), Rapid City, SD ($56,720) and Sioux City, IA-NE-SD ($56,100).
What does a paralegal cost an employer in South Dakota?
Benefits at employers with fewer than 50 workers add 35% on top of wages, so a paralegal at the South Dakota median costs about $78,700 a year. The employer’s view is at useliaison.com/back-office-costs/paralegal.
Paralegal salary in other states
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 23-2011. Annual figures assume 2,080 hours a year. Updated 2026-10-02.
See it on your own business.
Thirty minutes with us, on your own tools. Bring the thing that eats your evenings and watch it get handled from your own inbox, calendar and books.
Professional is $629 a month and we set it up with you. Starter is $149 a month, self-serve, with the free trial first: 7 days, no card. Every plan is on the pricing page.