Lawyer Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $71.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Spearfish, SD runs $71.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,753 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $77.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,258 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the lawyer hourly pay in Spearfish, SD, stands at a median of $71.52, which is notably lower than the national median of $80.37. This difference reflects a range that begins at $41.48 per hour for entry-level positions and extends to $110.85 per hour for top earners in the field. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, or in per-diem roles, this hourly structure allows for a flexible approach to work while still maintaining a decent income. Typical work environments include law firms, courtrooms, client meeting spaces, and remote legal drafting settings. Given the demand for legal services in both private and public sectors, these hourly rates are estimated based on annual salary projections, providing a framework that highlights the potential earnings from various practice areas within the city.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.48 | $331.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.49 | $411.93 |
| Median (P50) | $71.52 | $572.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91.54 | $732.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110.85 | $886.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $71.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.52/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $148,763 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,825. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,860.82 | $12,397 | $148,763 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,716.49 | $7,438 | $89,258 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,144.33 | $4,959 | $59,505 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Spearfish) | $71.52 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $148,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $155,112.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.52/hr = $89,258/year (purchasing power: $96,183).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,763/year (purchasing power: $160,305).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$52.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Spearfish grew 29.9% from $52.60/hr (2019) to $68.31/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $74.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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 4.70% 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 Lawyer in Spearfish
Considering the working dynamics for lawyers in Spearfish, part-time lawyers functioning three days a week, working 24 hours, can expect to bring home around $83,100 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. Per diem lawyer pay in Spearfish can vary significantly, with contract attorneys typically earning between $25 and $50 per hour for basic legal tasks, while more specialized roles, like consulting or expert witness work, can command rates of $400 to $800 per hour. The hourly rate differentials also depend on the type of employer; for instance, large firms offer a higher pay scale akin to BigLaw standards, while mid-size firms and public sector positions tend to provide more manageable hours at slightly lower earnings. Lawyers in public interest roles might accept reduced compensation for benefits or job satisfaction, making the decision on hourly rates a crucial aspect of career choices. Negotiating effectively involves understanding these contextual factors, including the local market trends in Spearfish and how they relate to the broader legal landscape.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Spearfish. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Spearfish 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 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov