Lawyer salary in North Dakota
Lawyers in North Dakota earn a median of $106,880 a year ($51.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,840 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $159,670. North Dakota ranks 40th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 2.4 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $128,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| 25th percentile | $92,510 | $44.47 |
| Median | $106,880 | $51.39 |
| 75th percentile | $137,380 | $66.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $194,840 | $93.67 |
| Average (mean) | $128,680 | $61.87 |
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 | $8,906.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,453.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,110.77 |
| Weekly | $2,055.38 |
| Hourly | $51.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | $114,180 | 70 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $111,090 | 410 |
| Bismarck, ND | $109,010 | 290 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $104,210 | 90 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $171,100 | $82.26 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $53,980 | $25.95 |
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for lawyers in North Dakota is $106,880 a year, or $51.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $194,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of lawyers in North Dakota earn at least $194,840 a year. The top 25% earn $137,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,500 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $92,510 or less.
How many lawyers work in North Dakota?
About 1,050 lawyers are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.