Paralegal Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $29.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Billings, MT runs $29.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,729 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,442 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, MT, the paralegal hourly pay averages at $29.20, notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.30. This rate provides substantial earning opportunities for both part-time paralegals working three days a week and per-diem professionals who can take on flexible contracts across various legal settings. The hourly compensation ranges from $23.41 for entry-level positions to $39.85 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the diverse nature of paralegal work environments—from law firm cubicles and corporate legal offices to remote e-discovery platforms, real estate title closing sessions, and government support roles. These statistics are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the evolving financial landscape for paralegals in Billings.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.41 | $187.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.85 | $198.82 |
| Median (P50) | $29.20 | $233.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.40 | $291.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.85 | $318.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $29.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.20/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $60,736 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,040. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.01 | $5,061 | $60,736 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.80 | $3,037 | $36,442 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.20 | $2,025 | $24,295 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Billings) | $29.20 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $60,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $65,097.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.20/hr = $36,442/year (purchasing power: $38,964).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,736/year (purchasing power: $64,941).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Billings grew 13.7% from $24.82/hr (2019) to $28.21/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.23/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 Billings 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 Billings
Considering the viability of part-time work, a paralegal clocking in 24 hours a week could realistically take home around $36,537 annually, presenting an appealing option for those seeking a work-life balance. However, per-diem roles afford different prospects, with contract paralegals commonly billing between $25 and $50 per hour, depending on their specialty. E-discovery review specialists can see rates soar to between $30 and $60 hourly, while freelance corporate roles may offer $40 to $75, and trial preparation positions range from $50 to $90 during active litigation. In Billings, hourly rates fluctuate based on the type of employer, with BigLaw firms often offering more substantial wages alongside intensive workloads, while smaller firms or in-house corporate environments might provide less pay but greater benefits, such as health insurance. Paralegals should be prepared to discuss these factors in negotiations, balancing hourly rates against potential benefits and job stability found in various legal sectors.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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