Paralegal Salary in Minot, ND: $61,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Minot, ND earns a median $61,516/year (≈ $29.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Minot's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.0), that paycheck buys what $70,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minot, North Dakota, paralegals can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,516 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $65,097. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $38,806 at the lower end to $80,665 for top earners. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS estimates projected to 2026, reflects the growing demand for skilled paralegals, particularly those specializing in e-discovery. As firms increasingly adopt technology in legal processes, the potential premium for expertise in e-discovery software like Relativity can enhance earning opportunities. Understanding the factors driving these salaries is essential for those considering a paralegal career in Minot, especially in a market where employment trends are evolving.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,806 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,097 | $25.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,516 | $29.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,907 | $30.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,665 | $38.79 |
Median Salary Position
5.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minot
In Minot, ND, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,859 (2026 est.). At $61,516, the local median is 5.5% below the national median of $65,097.
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At 40 hours/week in Minot: You'd be above the median
How Minot Paralegal Pay Compares
Minot median: $61,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minot Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,899 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | -5.50% less |
Paralegals in Minot, ND earn a median of $61,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.50% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 2.70% above the North Dakota state average of $59,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minot has a cost of living 12.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minot, ND has a cost-of-living index of 87.028 (below the national average of 100). A paralegal earning $61,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,685 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,893
2025 BLS Actual
$59,430
2026 Current Est.
$61,516
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Minot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,009 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,943 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,616 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minot metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 21.6% from $48,893 (2019) to $59,430 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,782 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minot 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) | $38,806 – $52,097 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,097 – $61,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,516 – $63,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,907 – $80,665 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Minot
With 70 paralegals currently employed in the area, the job market in Minot displays a steady demand for legal professionals. The cost of living index here is 87.028, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages. This can positively impact take-home pay, allowing paralegals to stretch their earnings further. Opportunities vary widely across different sectors, with in-house corporate legal departments typically offering higher pay compared to public sector roles in government agencies. It's notable that salaries are influenced by specialty areas; paralegals working in e-discovery or corporate law often command higher wages. Obtaining certifications from recognized bodies such as NALA or NFPA can also elevate salary potential. Bilingual capabilities can further enhance a paralegal's value, contributing to better pay in the competitive Minot marketplace.
More salary data for Minot, 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 $59,430 for paralegalsin the Minot 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, 2-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