Lawyer salary in Montana
Lawyers in Montana earn a median of $103,720 a year ($49.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,620 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $159,670. Montana ranks 43rd of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 4.7 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| 25th percentile | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Median | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| 75th percentile | $133,660 | $64.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,620 | $86.36 |
| Average (mean) | $115,830 | $55.69 |
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 | $8,643.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,321.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,989.23 |
| Weekly | $1,994.62 |
| Hourly | $49.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Montana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $57,290 | $27.54 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,850 | $26.85 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for lawyers in Montana is $103,720 a year, or $49.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Montana?
The top 10% of lawyers in Montana earn at least $179,620 a year. The top 25% earn $133,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,090 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $84,180 or less.
How many lawyers work in Montana?
About 2,380 lawyers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.