Legal Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Judge Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median judge salary in Rapid City, SD is $133,227 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$133,227
vs State Avg
+$2,961
vs National
$-14,803
Cost of Living
90%

Judge Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level judge earns around $58,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $193,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,500
$-6,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$135,000
$-15,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$193,500
$-21,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $52,200
25th Percentile $81,000
Median (50th) $133,227
75th Percentile $175,500
90th Percentile $207,000

Judge Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Judge in Rapid City

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.