Paralegal Salary in Dickinson, ND: $58,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Dickinson, ND earns a median $58,560/year (≈ $28.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $63,652 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a paralegal in Dickinson, North Dakota, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,560, which falls below the national median of $65,097. The salary range for paralegals in this area spans from $41,468 at the P10 level to $90,768 at the P90 level. These figures represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local conditions. While in-house corporate positions may offer a more favorable work-life balance, they often do not match the higher-paying opportunities available at larger law firms. The competition between these two sectors influences overall compensation dynamics significantly in Dickinson's job market.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,468 | $19.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,758 | $34.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,768 | $43.64 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,300 (2026 est.). At $58,560, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $65,097.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Paralegal Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $58,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,877 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $65,097 | -10.04% less |
Paralegals in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $58,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $59,877.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $58,560 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,652 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,544
2025 BLS Actual
$56,574
2026 Current Est.
$58,560
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,544 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,605 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.5% from $46,544 (2019) to $56,574 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,071 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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) | $41,468 – $46,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,100 – $58,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,560 – $71,758 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,758 – $90,768 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Dickinson
The local job market currently employs four paralegals, highlighting a niche but stable legal environment in Dickinson. With a cost-of-living index of 92, the purchasing power for each salary dollar is somewhat stronger compared to the national average. Law firms, especially those in the mid-sized category, tend to offer the most competitive salaries compared to in-house corporate roles and government offices. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including firm size, specialization, and additional certifications. Candidates who possess certifications from recognized bodies such as NALA or NFPA or who specialize in high-demand areas like e-discovery may experience higher earning potential. For paralegals navigating the job market in Dickinson, focusing on gaining specialized experience and pursuing continuing education can serve as effective strategies for enhancing salary prospects.
More salary data for Dickinson, 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
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 $56,574 for paralegalsin the Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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