Lawyer Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $117,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $117,536/year (≈ $56.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $129,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.2% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the lawyer salary in Sioux Falls is projected to reach a median of $117,536, significantly lower than the national median of $167,174. This disparity reflects a broader structural divide in the legal profession, where compensation varies widely based on firm size and structure. Salaries for attorneys in the region span from $82,472 at the 10th percentile to a high of $302,290 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market. The variability aligns with the tiers within the legal industry, with BigLaw firms able to offer much higher compensation, though many lawyers may find their roles in mid-market or smaller firms more accessible. According to data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these figures provide a snapshot of the evolving job market in Sioux Falls, SD, spotlighting both opportunities and potential salary limits in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,472 | $39.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,072 | $47.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,536 | $56.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,054 | $80.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $302,290 | $145.33 |
Median Salary Position
29.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $219,818 (2026 est.). At $117,536, the local median is 29.69% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Sioux Falls Lawyer Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $117,536/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $155,061 | -24.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -29.69% less |
Lawyers in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $117,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.69% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 24.20% below the South Dakota state average of $155,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $117,536 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,686 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$137,970
2025 BLS Actual
$112,260
2026 Current Est.
$117,536
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.8%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $137,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,060 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew -18.6% from $137,970 (2019) to $112,260 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,060 by 2027 — a total increase of $-14,910 (-10.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $82,472 – $98,072 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,072 – $117,536 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,536 – $168,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,054 – $302,290 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Sioux Falls
The local legal market demonstrates strength, with around 570 lawyers currently employed in Sioux Falls. With a cost-of-living index of 90.631, the area offers a more affordable lifestyle, which can enhance take-home purchasing power compared to larger cities. Employers with the highest pay typically include larger regional firms and in-house legal departments, with BigLaw options being less prevalent. The differences in pay are influenced by several factors, including firm tier and location, as well as the public versus private sector divide. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in this market, focusing on high-demand practice areas, establishing a strong professional network, and considering roles in corporate legal departments may yield better results than pursuing public sector jobs, where salaries are generally lower. Understanding these dynamics can empower legal professionals to make informed decisions regarding their careers in Sioux Falls, SD.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, 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 $112,260 for lawyersin the Sioux Falls 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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