Lawyer salary in Helena, MT
Lawyers in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $108,410 a year ($52.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,640 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 5% higher than the Montana statewide median of $103,720. There are 9.3 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| 25th percentile | $97,960 | $47.09 |
| Median | $108,410 | $52.12 |
| 75th percentile | $138,320 | $66.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,640 | $75.31 |
| Average (mean) | $115,170 | $55.37 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,034.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,517.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,169.62 |
| Weekly | $2,084.81 |
| Hourly | $52.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $106,760 | 200 |
| Great Falls, MT | $106,450 | 140 |
| Billings, MT | $104,150 | 380 |
| Missoula, MT | $100,490 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $60,330 | $29.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Helena, MT?
The median salary for lawyers in the Helena, MT metro area is $108,410 a year, or $52.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $156,640 a year. The top 25% earn $138,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,890 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $97,960 or less.
How many lawyers work in Helena, MT?
About 410 lawyers are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.