Paralegal Hourly Pay in Mandan, ND: $26.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Mandan, ND runs $26.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,974 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Mandan's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,587 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Mandan, North Dakota, will see a median hourly pay of $26.91, which falls below the national median of $31.30. This disparity means that paralegals working in traditional settings such as law firm cubicles, government offices, and corporate legal departments may find their earnings constrained compared to their peers elsewhere in the country. For part-time paralegals working three days a week, this equates to an annual income that may not fully support all financial goals. However, the hourly pay range in Mandan varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $21.35 and experienced paralegals earning up to $41.15 per hour, reflecting the spectrum of skill levels and responsibilities in the field.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.35 | $170.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.12 | $176.96 |
| Median (P50) | $26.91 | $215.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.62 | $268.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.15 | $329.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mandan
Based on $26.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.91/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mandan, ND can expect to earn approximately $55,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,295. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mandan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mandan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,076.50 | $4,665 | $55,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.90 | $2,799 | $33,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.60 | $1,866 | $22,391 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Mandan) | $26.91 |
| 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 Mandan, ND earn a median of $55,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 6.50% below the North Dakota state average of $59,865.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.91/hr = $33,587/year (purchasing power: $36,508).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,978/year (purchasing power: $60,846).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Mandan grew 21.6% from $21.39/hr (2019) to $26.00/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.86/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 Mandan 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 Mandan
On a part-time basis, a paralegal in Mandan working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $33,540 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart making nearly $56,000, highlighting a substantial difference in overall earnings potential. Additionally, per-diem paralegals—who often fill in for full-time staff or handle specific projects—can expect varying pay rates that typically range from $25 to $50 per hour. In certain specialties, such as e-discovery or trial preparation, freelance or contract paralegals might command rates as high as $90 per hour during active litigation. The type of employer plays a significant role in determining hourly compensation, with larger law firms generally offering higher wages compared to small boutique firms or government roles. Paralegals in Mandan may need to weigh the trade-offs of lower hourly rates in government positions that offer benefits against the higher pay in private practice that lacks those same perks. To negotiate effectively, they should be aware of their worth and industry standards while also considering the local job market for positions requiring strong legal research or client management skills.
More salary data for Mandan, 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 Mandan. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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