Paralegal Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Bismarck, ND runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,333 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $29.91, paralegals in Bismarck, ND, earn slightly less than the national median of $31.30 per hour. This wage reflects the realities of part-time and per-diem work in various settings, ranging from law firm offices to corporate legal departments. For those working three days a week, this rate allows for a feasible income, providing opportunities for flexibly scheduled work without the need for full-time commitment. The hourly range for paralegals in this area spans from $24.76 for entry-level positions to $38.70 for top earners, highlighting the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, underscoring the evolving pay scale in the profession.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.76 | $198.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.49 | $203.96 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.44 | $267.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.70 | $309.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $62,222 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,897. With a cost-of-living index of 91.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.58 | $5,185 | $62,222 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.95 | $3,111 | $37,333 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.63 | $2,074 | $24,889 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Bismarck) | $29.91 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $62,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.42% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 3.90% above the North Dakota state average of $59,884.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,333/year (purchasing power: $41,015).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,222/year (purchasing power: $68,358).
CoL index: 91.024 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Bismarck grew 41.9% from $20.36/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.96/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
Considering part-time earnings, a paralegal working 24 hours a week at the median rate would net approximately $37,200 annually, a substantial amount albeit less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem paralegal pay in Bismarck can vary quite significantly; while contract paralegals generally earn between $25-$50 per hour, e-discovery specialists command $30-$60 per hour, and trial preparation roles can bring in between $50-$90 per hour during litigation. This diverse fee structure demonstrates how hourly rates fluctuate based on the type of employer, ranging from law firms to government legal offices and freelance opportunities. Some paralegals might forgo higher hourly rates for full-time positions that offer benefits such as health insurance, illustrating the trade-offs often faced in the field. For those negotiating pay, emphasizing specialized skills like e-discovery can be key, as well as understanding the typical pay scales in Bismarck's legal market.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 Bismarck. 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