Lawyer salary in Missoula, MT
Lawyers in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $100,490 a year ($48.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,090 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 3% lower than the Montana statewide median of $103,720. There are 7.3 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $114,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,430 | $30.50 |
| 25th percentile | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Median | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| 75th percentile | $126,440 | $60.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $176,090 | $84.66 |
| Average (mean) | $114,210 | $54.91 |
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 | $8,374.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,187.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,865 |
| Weekly | $1,932.50 |
| Hourly | $48.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $108,410 | 410 |
| Bozeman, MT | $106,760 | 200 |
| Great Falls, MT | $106,450 | 140 |
| Billings, MT | $104,150 | 380 |
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 Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $60,320 | $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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for lawyers in the Missoula, MT metro area is $100,490 a year, or $48.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $176,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $176,090 a year. The top 25% earn $126,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,430 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $89,190 or less.
How many lawyers work in Missoula, MT?
About 490 lawyers are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.