Paralegal Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $29.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $29.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,168 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,307 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the paralegal hourly pay is projected to be $29.89 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.30. This hourly figure provides a substantial consideration for part-time workers looking to balance their professional and personal lives. For those working three days a week, earning $29.89 translates to approximately $37,000 annually, a viable option for individuals needing flexibility. The hourly range for paralegals in this area varies, with entry-level positions starting at around $24.34, while top earners can make up to $43.53 per hour. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reflecting the overall demand for paralegals in various settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.34 | $194.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.12 | $224.99 |
| Median (P50) | $29.89 | $239.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.14 | $273.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.53 | $348.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $29.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.89/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $62,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,872. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.75 | $5,182 | $62,179 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.45 | $3,109 | $37,307 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.30 | $2,073 | $24,872 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Sioux Falls) | $29.89 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $62,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.90% above the South Dakota state average of $60,416.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.89/hr = $37,307/year (purchasing power: $41,164).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,179/year (purchasing power: $68,607).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Sioux Falls grew 23.7% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $28.88/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Sioux Falls
Understanding the nuances of paralegal pay in Sioux Falls reveals diverse earning potential, particularly for those working on a part-time or per-diem basis. For instance, a paralegal engaged for 24 hours a week, with the $29.89 wage, would take home about $37,000 annually, which contrasts with full-time colleagues' earnings. The contracting or per diem model also offers an interesting pay scale, with fees ranging from $25 to $90 per hour depending on the employer type and specialization. Corporate legal departments might pay around $30-$60 per hour for e-discovery specialists, while freelance paralegals could command anywhere from $40 to $75 an hour in smaller firms. Furthermore, many paralegals must balance their hourly rate with benefits; those who opt for positions with lower pay might receive health insurance and retirement plans, while others seeking higher pay may find themselves without these perks. Local paralegals negotiating their rates should emphasize their skills and experience, considering the competitive nature of law firms in Sioux Falls, where job stability often correlates with the employer's reputation and size.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for paralegals in Sioux Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time paralegals make in Sioux Falls?
Are paralegals in Sioux Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time paralegal make per year in Sioux Falls?
Do paralegals earn more per hour working part-time in Sioux Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Sioux Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov