Paralegal Salary in Pierre, SD: $56,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Pierre, SD earns a median $56,757/year (≈ $27.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $61,161 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegal salaries in Pierre, South Dakota, average around $56,757, reflecting a pay structure significantly affected by local market dynamics. The salary range spans from $40,708 at the 10th percentile to $87,475 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on factors such as employer type and specialty. Corporate in-house positions often offer better work-life balance compared to roles in law firms, which may boast higher salaries but also demand more intense hours. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost trends, positioning Pierre’s paralegal pay as lower than the national median of $65,097 for the same year.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,708 | $19.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,757 | $27.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,159 | $34.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,475 | $42.06 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,767 (2026 est.). At $56,757, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre Paralegal Pay Compares
Pierre median: $56,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $60,379 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -12.81% less |
Paralegals in Pierre, SD earn a median of $56,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $60,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $56,757 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,161 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,111
2025 BLS Actual
$54,832
2026 Current Est.
$56,757
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,111 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,139 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,025 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,615 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,158 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $45,111 (2019) to $54,832 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,638 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,708 – $48,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,300 – $56,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,757 – $71,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,159 – $87,475 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Pierre
In Pierre, the local job market employs four paralegals, indicating a niche but steady demand for legal support roles. The cost of living index stands at 92.8, suggesting that take-home purchasing power is relatively favorable, benefiting paralegals who may find their salaries stretch further than in more expensive areas. Among the employers in Pierre, corporate legal departments typically offer more stable compensation, while government entities and smaller law firms provide varying salaries based on their budget constraints. The wide salary range can be attributed to factors such as firm stature, specialized skills in e-discovery, and certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA, which may enhance earning potential. To maximize pay in Pierre, paralegals should consider pursuing specialized training in high-demand areas and actively seek opportunities within top-tier firms or corporate positions that value advanced skills.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $54,832 for paralegalsin the Pierre metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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