Lawyer Salary in Pierre, SD: $145,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Pierre, SD earns a median $145,754/year (≈ $70.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $157,063 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for lawyers in Pierre, South Dakota is projected at $145,754, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $167,174. The salary distribution for legal professionals in this city ranges from $84,537 at the 10th percentile to $225,919 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the profession. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, expose the ongoing public versus private sector debate. Many lawyers in Pierre may find themselves weighing the benefits of government positions — often offering loan forgiveness options — against the higher earning potential in private practice roles, which can be subject to demanding billable hour requirements.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,537 | $40.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,943 | $50.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,754 | $70.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,565 | $89.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,919 | $108.62 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,382 (2026 est.). At $145,754, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre Lawyer Pay Compares
Pierre median: $145,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $155,057 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -12.81% less |
Lawyers in Pierre, SD earn a median of $145,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $155,057.
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 lawyer earning $145,754 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $157,063 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,205
2025 BLS Actual
$139,211
2026 Current Est.
$145,754
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,205 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,666 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $118,347 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,162 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,211 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $107,205 (2019) to $139,211 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,399 (42.35%) 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 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) | $84,537 – $104,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,943 – $145,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,754 – $186,565 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,565 – $225,919 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Pierre
Despite the lower-than-average salaries relative to national standards, the job market for lawyers in Pierre remains relatively stable, with four lawyers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index of 92.8 suggests an affordable environment for residents, allowing for better purchasing power despite the median salary position. Among local employers, larger law firms can provide higher compensation compared to small practices or government roles, although the latter may present a more balanced lifestyle and steadier hours. Factors driving salary disparities include the firm's size, location, and compensation structures, with a pronounced divide between high-pressure BigLaw firms and more manageable regional practices. For lawyers intending to maximize their income in Pierre, establishing connections in the legal community and considering in-house roles or state positions can enhance both earnings and work-life balance.
More salary data for Pierre, 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 $139,211 for lawyersin the Pierre 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 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 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