Paralegal Salary in Billings, MT: $60,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Billings, MT earns a median $60,729/year (≈ $29.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $64,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the paralegal salary in Billings, Montana, is projected to reach a median of $60,729, a figure that reflects a competitive yet slightly lower pay scale when compared to the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals in this city spans from $48,691 at the 10th percentile to $82,891 at the 90th percentile, indicating that entry-level positions may be modestly compensated while experienced paralegals and those in specialized roles can earn substantially more. This data derives from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a strong demand for paralegal services within the community. While larger law firms typically offer higher salaries, in-house corporate roles can provide a favorable work-life balance, attracting those who prioritize stability and predictable hours over maximum earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,691 | $23.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,693 | $24.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,729 | $29.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,718 | $36.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,891 | $39.85 |
Median Salary Position
6.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,200 (2026 est.). At $60,729, the local median is 6.71% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Paralegal Pay Compares
Billings median: $60,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,097 | -6.71% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $60,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,933 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,630
2025 BLS Actual
$58,670
2026 Current Est.
$60,729
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 13.6% from $51,630 (2019) to $58,670 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,231 (21.75%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,691 – $51,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,693 – $60,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,729 – $75,718 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,718 – $82,891 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Billings
The local job market in Billings employs approximately 170 paralegals, suggesting a solid demand for legal support professionals amidst a competitive landscape. With a cost of living index of 93.526, residents enjoy relatively affordable living conditions, which enhances the real purchasing power of annual salaries. Among the various employers, law firms, particularly small to medium-sized ones, may offer competitive compensation packages, while in-house corporate legal departments often provide attractive benefits and job stability. Factors such as firm size, legal specialties like e-discovery, and professional certifications from organizations like NALA or NFPA can heavily influence salary discrepancies. Paralegals looking to increase their earnings in the Billings MT market should consider gaining expertise in high-demand areas, obtaining advanced certifications, and exploring freelance opportunities, all strategies that can significantly improve their overall compensation.
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,670 for paralegalsin the Billings metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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