Do paralegals need a license in South Dakota?

No statewide license is required for paralegals in South Dakota. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal), and AAfPE Certificate.

How to Become a Paralegal in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do paralegals earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paralegals in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,320. Employment concentration in South Dakota is roughly 0.52 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for paralegals in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 600 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $58,320 ($28.04/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 600 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.3% below the national median of $62,890 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,320 ($28.04/hr)
25th percentile: $53,730 per year
75th percentile: $67,200 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $84,090 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $48,890 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 600
Versus national median: -7.3% below the U.S. median of $62,890
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.52 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

South Dakota employs about 600 paralegals earning a median $58,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most paralegals train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Key Facts

Median wage (South Dakota): $58,320/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in South Dakota: 600 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.52x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 0.2% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Paralegal Schools in South Dakota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Bismarck State College	76.6	Contact school for pricing	$65,276	Not reported	Yes*	203 mi
2	Alexandria Technical & Community College	74.5	Contact school for pricing	$59,377	Not reported	Yes*	229 mi
3	Rasmussen University-North Dakota	70.8	Contact school for pricing	$59,996	Not reported	Yes*	229 mi
4	Ridgewater College	68.7	Contact school for pricing	$49,859	48%	Yes*	221 mi
5	Minnesota State Community and Technical College	64.5	$5,908 - $17,194	$54,581	47%	Yes*	219 mi
6	Iowa Lakes Community College	59.8	Contact school for pricing	$47,158	Not reported	Yes*	228 mi
7	Western Iowa Tech Community College	57.6	Contact school for pricing	$47,713	44%	Yes*	186 mi
8	Metropolitan Community College Area	46.7	Contact school for pricing	$53,376	27%	Yes*	260 mi
9	United Tribes Technical College	45.6	$4,632 - $14,309	$34,923	28%	Yes*	198 mi
10	Sinte Gleska University	30.0	Contact school for pricing	$51,797	6%	Yes*	85 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Dakota employs approximately 600 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,320 ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Paralegal in South Dakota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (South Dakota): $58,320 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in South Dakota

How to become a Paralegal in South Dakota? South Dakota does not require a state license for paralegals, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? paralegal training length in South Dakota varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? No state license is required, but certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate are expected by most employers.

What do paralegals earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for paralegals in South Dakota is $58,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,890 and experienced professionals can earn $84,090 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paralegal in South Dakota

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved paralegal program in South Dakota that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While South Dakota does not require a statewide license, earn CP (Certified Paralegal) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Paralegal Certification Options in South Dakota

South Dakota does not require a state license to work as a paralegal. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for paralegals include:

CP (Certified Paralegal)
AAfPE Certificate

For more information, visit the NALA - Paralegal Association ³. Contact training programs in South Dakota for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux Falls	260	$60,060	$64,370	$48,890	$87,460
Rapid City	150	$56,720	$58,380	$48,040	$73,320
Sioux City	80	$56,100	$57,120	$37,740	$77,110

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paralegals in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 600 paralegals ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.

How much do paralegals earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in South Dakota is $58,320, which is $2,690 below the national median of $61,010 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NALA - Paralegal Association: https://www.nala.org/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)