Paralegal Salary in Butte, MT: $59,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Butte, MT earns a median $59,018/year (≈ $28.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $61,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For paralegals in Butte, Montana, the 2026 projected median salary is $59,018, which is notably below the national median of $65,097. This salary reflects the unique job structure in Butte, where legal professionals often find themselves working in smaller firms rather than large entities. The salary range for paralegals spans from $41,255 at the P10 level to $91,478 at the P90 level, showcasing the varied opportunities within the local market. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations. With such variance in earnings potential, paralegals must understand the dynamics of their employment setting to better navigate their compensation in Butte's legal landscape.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,255 | $19.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,302 | $23.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,018 | $28.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,334 | $36.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,478 | $43.98 |
Median Salary Position
9.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,223 (2026 est.). At $59,018, the local median is 9.34% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Paralegal Pay Compares
Butte median: $59,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $60,718 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -9.34% less |
Paralegals in Butte, MT earn a median of $59,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $60,718.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $59,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,349 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,908
2025 BLS Actual
$57,017
2026 Current Est.
$59,018
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,978 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,672 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,615 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $46,908 (2019) to $57,017 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,182 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $41,255 – $48,302 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,302 – $59,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,018 – $75,334 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,334 – $91,478 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Butte
While there are only seven paralegals currently employed in Butte, this niche market presents specific advantages and challenges. The cost-of-living index in Butte rests at 96.2, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to many regions, which optimizes the purchasing power for local paralegals. In terms of pay, firms that operate with corporate or governmental legal departments may offer competitive wages, while those in BigLaw often provide higher salaries but may also demand longer hours and increased workloads. The disparity in paralegal pay in Butte is influenced by firm size, area of specialty, and additional certifications such as those from NALA or NFPA. For instance, paralegals with expertise in e-discovery can command higher salaries than their counterparts in general litigation. Aspiring professionals can maximize their earnings by focusing on specialties and obtaining relevant certifications while assessing the work-life balance that various employment settings offer.
More salary data for Butte, 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 $57,017 for paralegalsin the Butte 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
Salary data for Butte 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