Paralegal Salary in Montana: $58,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median paralegal pay sits at $58,992/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-2011. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,322 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Helena ($64,210), Bozeman ($59,120), Billings ($58,670).
The projected average median salary for paralegals in Montana in 2026 is $58,992, which is 9.4% lower than the national median of $65,097. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city, Helena, offering $66,464, while Missoula has the lowest salary at $52,449. This $14,015 gap is influenced by factors such as local demand for legal services, cost of living differences, and the concentration of legal firms in urban areas. Montana does not require paralegals to have a specific state license, although adherence to relevant laws and ethical standards is crucial. The scope of practice for paralegals in the state is defined by the supervision of licensed attorneys. Demand for paralegals in Montana is expected to increase, reflected in a projected annual growth rate of 3.51% in the job market. The total number of employed paralegals in the state stands at 781, with the top five cities for employment being Helena, Bozeman ($61,195), Billings ($60,729), Great Falls ($59,094), and Butte ($59,018). As various sectors continue to regulate and require legal assistance, the need for skilled paralegals is likely to rise alongside these projected salary trends.
Montana Paralegal Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $40,638 (lowest entry-level) to $94,329 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana paralegals earn 9.38% less than the national median ($-6,105/year difference).
Montana Paralegal Salary Distribution (2026)
Paralegal salaries in Montana range from $48,098 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,424 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,992. The Montana median is $6,105 below the US national median of $65,097. The average hourly rate is $28.36/hr. Approximately 781 paralegals are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,663
2025 BLS Actual
$56,992
2026 Current Est.
$58,992
2019–2027 Growth
+20.5%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,663 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,763 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,754 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,201 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,534 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,992 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,063 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 12.5% from $50,663 (2019) to $56,992 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,400 (20.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Missoula | $52,449 |
| Kalispell | $57,987 |
| Butte | $59,018 |
| Great Falls | $59,094 |
| Billings | $60,729 |
Best Value Cities for Paralegals in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for paralegals.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $66,464 | 95.675 | $69,469 |
| Billings | $60,729 | 93.526 | $64,933 |
| Butte | $59,018 | 96.2 | $61,349 |
| Great Falls | $59,094 | 96.845 | $61,019 |
| Kalispell | $57,987 | 96.2 | $60,278 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,098 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,992 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,424 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Explore More Paralegal Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do paralegals make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for paralegals in Montana?
How does Montana paralegal pay compare to the national average?
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Which Montana city offers the best value for paralegals?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 paralegal compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more paralegalscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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