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Investigative Lawyer Salary in South Dakota

How much does an Investigative Lawyer make in South Dakota? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Investigative Lawyer in South Dakota is $114,553 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, an Investigative Lawyer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,924
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,348 to $125,740
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $93,146
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Investigative Lawyer Job Openings in South Dakota

Key Factors That Influence Investigative Lawyer Salaries

An Investigative Lawyer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Investigative Lawyer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Investigative Lawyer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $53,692
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $62,050
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $77,448
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $112,223
  • Expert (over 8 years): $127,183
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Biologist I less than 1 year $53,692
Biologist II 1-2 years $62,050
Biologist III 2-4 years $77,448
Investigative Lawyer 5-8 years $112,223
Biologist V over 8 years $127,183

How Do Investigative Lawyer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Investigative Lawyers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $139,561.
  • California: $139,032.
  • Massachusetts: $137,179.

Top Paying Cities for Investigative Lawyer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Alcester: $115,747
  • Aurora: $116,362
  • Baltic: $115,110

Investigative Lawyer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Investigative Lawyer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Investigative Lawyer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Investigative Lawyer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Investigative Lawyer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $143,192 $69.0 25%
Energy & Utilities $137,464 $66.0 20%
Biotechnology $131,736 $63.0 15%
Healthcare $126,009 $61.0 10%
Chemicals $123,718 $59.0 8%

Investigative Lawyer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Investigative Lawyer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$103,348
Average $114,553/year
$125,740
$8,612
Average $9,546/month
$10,478
$1,987
Average $2,203/week
$2,418
$50
Average $55/hour
$60
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $125,740 $10,478 $2,418 $60
Average $114,553 $9,546 $2,203 $55
25th Percentile $103,348 $8,612 $1,987 $50

Find Your Next Investigative Lawyer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Investigative Lawyer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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