Lawyer Salary

Huron vs Rapid City: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Huron, SD and Rapid City, SD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huron, SD
$143,070
$68.79/hr
Rapid City, SD
$104,103
$50.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuron, SDRapid City, SD
Median Salary$143,070$104,103
Hourly Rate$68.79$50.05
Entry Level (P10)$82,981$81,446
25th Percentile$103,011$85,320
75th Percentile$183,130$139,356
Top Earner (P90)$221,759$219,860
Total Employed5260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huron ($143,070) and Rapid City ($104,103) lawyer salaries.HuronRapid CityMedian Salary$143,070$104,103Entry Level (P10)$82,981$81,446Top Earner (P90)$221,759$219,860US Median $167,174

Verdict

Huron, SD offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rapid City.

The salary gap between Huron and Rapid City is $38,967 (37.43%). Huron's median is -14.42% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huron spans $138,778,Rapid City spans $138,414. Huron has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huron
P10 (Entry)$82,981
P25$103,011
Median$143,070
P75$183,130
P90 (Top)$221,759
Rapid City
P10 (Entry)$81,446
P25$85,320
Median$104,103
P75$139,356
P90 (Top)$219,860

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huron ($154,170 effective) pays 32.04% more than Rapid City ($116,760 effective).

Huron
Nominal: $143,070
CoL Index: 92.8
Adjusted: $154,170
Rapid City
Nominal: $104,103
CoL Index: 89.16
Adjusted: $116,760

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huron if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,070/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($221,759)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,170)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Rapid City if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Huron grew 47.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Rapid City over the same period.

Huron, SD

+47.8%

$92,428 (2024) → $136,648 (2025)

Rapid City, SD

+24.8%

$79,700 (2019) → $99,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Huron or Rapid City?

Huron has a higher median lawyer salary at $143,070/year, compared to Rapid City at $104,103/year — a difference of $38,967 (37.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huron and Rapid City?

Huron lawyers earn $68.79/hr while Rapid City hygienists earn $50.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huron to Rapid City as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huron and Rapid City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huron = $154,170, Rapid City = $116,760), job availability (5 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Huron vs Rapid City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $82,981 in Huron and $81,446 in Rapid City. The Huron area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov