Paralegal Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $28.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Great Falls, MT runs $28.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,094 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,460 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly rate of $28.41, paralegals in Great Falls, MT, earn less than their national counterparts, who average $31.30 per hour. This rate reflects a cost-effective opportunity for part-time paralegals working three days a week or those seeking per-diem roles in environments such as law firms, corporate legal departments, and government offices. The hourly pay range for paralegals in this area varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $19.54 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $45.35 per hour. According to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, this compensation structure impacts the choices paralegals make regarding their career paths and work arrangements.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.54 | $156.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.87 | $190.96 |
| Median (P50) | $28.41 | $227.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.36 | $314.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.35 | $362.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $28.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.41/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $59,100 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,096. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,136.54 | $4,925 | $59,100 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $681.92 | $2,955 | $35,460 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $454.62 | $1,970 | $23,640 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Great Falls) | $28.41 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $59,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.22% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.70% below the Montana state average of $60,734.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.41/hr = $35,460/year (purchasing power: $36,615).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,100/year (purchasing power: $61,025).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+76.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Great Falls grew 65.1% from $16.63/hr (2019) to $27.45/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.41/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Part-time paralegals working 24 hours a week could potentially take home around $36,000 annually, which differs considerably from a full-time commitment that secures more consistent income and benefits. Freelance and contract paralegals may find themselves in varied earning scenarios, where per-diem paralegal pay in Great Falls typically ranges from $25 to $50 per hour. E-discovery specialists and those involved in trial preparation can command higher rates, sometimes reaching $90 per hour. Hourly earnings also differ based on the type of employer; BigLaw firms may offer higher pay, albeit with demanding hours, while corporate settings often provide a preferable work-life balance. Negotiation tactics are essential, as some paralegals may have to weigh the benefits of lower hourly pay against job security and health benefits, especially with smaller firms or contract roles. Adjusting expectations and considering local market conditions are critical for paralegals looking to maximize their hourly rates.
More salary data for Great Falls, 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 Great Falls. 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