Paralegal Hourly Pay in Huron, SD: $26.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Huron, SD runs $26.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,711 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Huron's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,432 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Huron, SD, the paralegal hourly pay stands at a median of $26.79, reflecting a noticeable gap when compared to the national hourly median of $31.30. This differential can impact part-time workers, such as those who may only be on the job three days a week, significantly influencing their overall income. In typical settings, including law firm offices and corporate legal departments, such an hourly rate facilitates flexible work arrangements for various professionals, including per-diem paralegals. For those in Huron, hourly earnings range from $20.65 for entry-level positions to $40.36 for more experienced practitioners. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, establish a clear picture of the financial landscape for paralegals in the region.
About the Huron Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.65 | $165.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.18 | $177.46 |
| Median (P50) | $26.79 | $214.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.58 | $268.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.36 | $322.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huron
Based on $26.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.79/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huron, SD can expect to earn approximately $55,720 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,146. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huron.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huron
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,071.54 | $4,643 | $55,720 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $642.92 | $2,786 | $33,432 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.61 | $1,857 | $22,288 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Huron) | $26.79 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Huron, SD earn a median of $55,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 7.80% below the South Dakota state average of $60,424.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.79/hr = $33,432/year (purchasing power: $36,026).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,720/year (purchasing power: $60,043).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Huron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Huron grew 21.6% from $21.29/hr (2019) to $25.88/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.73/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 3.51% 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 Paralegal in Huron
When considering annual income potential, a paralegal working part-time at 24 hours a week might earn around $33,627, compared to a full-time salary that reflects a more stable income stream. The reality of per-diem and contract work sees paralegals billing between $25 and $50 hourly. This includes e-discovery specialists who can command rates of up to $60, while freelance corporate paralegals might see earnings reaching $75 hourly for specialized tasks. The variation in pay is often determined by the employer type, with law firms generally on the lower end of the scale, contrasted with government legal offices or private contracts offering higher compensation. Despite this disparity, many paralegals may opt for positions with lower hourly rates that include health benefits as part of their overall compensation package. In Huron, developing negotiation skills for hourly pay—depending on the work type and employer—can significantly enhance earnings and job satisfaction for those in the legal support field.
More salary data for Huron, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
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 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Huron. 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 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 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov