Lawyers in Montana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Lawyers in Montana earned a median of $100,750 in 2024, about 33% below the US median of $149,496. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation, and it holds even after accounting for local costs.
Montana's overall cost-of-living index sits at 96.8, just under the national baseline. Adjusting for that, the in-state median translates to roughly $104,080 in national-baseline dollars. The gap narrows slightly but stays wide. A Montana lawyer earning the median takes home less purchasing power than peers in most other states.
The spread within the state tells a different story. Entry-level or rural practitioners at the 10th percentile earned around $56,180. Lawyers at the 90th percentile earned $192,280, more than three times that figure. A wide range like this usually reflects real differences in practice setting: solo practitioners handling estate work in smaller towns versus corporate or litigation attorneys at larger firms in Billings or Missoula. With only 2,460 lawyers employed statewide, a relatively small number of high earners can push that upper band well above what most in the field actually see.
BLS projects average growth for this occupation nationally through 2034, at 4.2%. Montana's market is small enough that a modest shift in demand, a new federal project, a wave of retirements, or a few large firms expanding, could move local conditions more than the headline figure suggests.
Salary distribution
Where Montana lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $84,180 and $133,660, with a median of $103,720.
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Lawyers pay by experience level in Montana
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Montana over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Montana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Montana is $103,720.
- How does Montana compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Montana median is -34.9% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Montana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,090 and the 90th-percentile at $179,620, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.