Lawyer Salary in Huron, SD: $143,070 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Huron, SD earns a median $143,070/year (≈ $68.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Huron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $154,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected lawyer salary in Huron, SD, stands at $143,070, which reflects the challenges posed by the distinct divide between BigLaw, mid-market, and small firms. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, indicate a salary range from $82,981 for entry-level positions up to $221,759 for seasoned professionals at the 90th percentile. Compared to the national median of $167,174, the compensation in Huron is notably lower, reflecting regional economic factors and the limited presence of larger law firms. This discrepancy in salary underscores the local job market dynamics, where few firms result in a tightly held legal community that influences earning potential in this area.
About the Huron Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,981 | $39.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,011 | $49.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $143,070 | $68.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,130 | $88.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,759 | $106.62 |
Median Salary Position
14.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huron
In Huron, SD, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $138,778 (2026 est.). At $143,070, the local median is 14.42% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huron Lawyer Pay Compares
Huron median: $143,070/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $155,174 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -14.42% less |
Lawyers in Huron, SD earn a median of $143,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 7.80% below the South Dakota state average of $155,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huron 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.
Huron, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $143,070 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,170 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,231
2025 BLS Actual
$136,648
2026 Current Est.
$143,070
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,231 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,536 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,168 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,744 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,648 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,070 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,795 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huron metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $105,231 (2019) to $136,648 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,795 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,564 (42.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huron 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $82,981 – $103,011 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,011 – $143,070 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $143,070 – $183,130 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,130 – $221,759 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Huron
The legal job market in Huron exhibits a compact but stable environment, with only five lawyers currently employed in the area. While the cost of living is indexed at 92.8, signaling a more affordable living situation compared to national averages, the real implications for take-home pay can be significant. Most legal opportunities arise from small to mid-sized firms or government positions, where salaries tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum. The pay disparity in Huron can be attributed to various factors, including firm size and the balance between in-house and private practice roles. Generally, to maximize salary potential in this market, lawyers should focus on building niche practices, seeking out roles in specialized legal fields, or considering government positions that offer benefits such as student loan forgiveness, despite their lower base salaries.
More salary data for Huron, 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
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 $136,648 for lawyersin the Huron metropolitan area. A 4.70% 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 Huron 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