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State comparison · 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary: South Dakota vs Washington

Occupation

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Washington earn a median of $79,400. In South Dakota, $58,320. After cost-of-living, the gap is 11.3% — not 26.5%.

Nominal pay gap
-26.5%
South Dakota vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
-11.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

South Dakota

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median
$58,320
p25
$53,730
p75
$67,200
p10
$48,890
p90
$84,090
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
88.6
See full breakdown for South Dakota

Washington

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median
$79,400
p25
$62,670
p75
$100,960
p10
$50,470
p90
$116,750
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
107.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
+50%
See full breakdown for Washington

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.