Entry-Level Lawyer Salary in Williston, ND: $85,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:New lawyers entering the Williston, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,119 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 23-1011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williston's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $92,521 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($146,757) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the legal field in Williston, North Dakota, can anticipate starting salaries around $85,119. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $146,757. The salary trajectory for these entry-level positions offers a promising outlook for early-career lawyers; it is feasible to move from $85,119 to around $105,665 as they gain experience, ultimately reaching the median within a few years. New grads may find that the Williston market is relatively attractive. With a growth rate projected at 4.70%, opportunities in the region indicate potential for salary increases, which can be somewhat reassuring for those just entering the profession.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williston
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
Entry-level lawyers in Williston, ND typically start between $85,119 and $105,665 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $142,354 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $146,757 — 12.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average legal practice program cost in North Dakota of $165,000 represents just 193.85% of the starting lawyer pay ($85,119/year) in Williston. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect combined undergraduate tuition plus ABA-accredited law school tuition. Costs vary significantly between public in-state, public out-of-state, and private law schools. Figures exclude living expenses and bar exam costs.
Esq Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Williston
- 1Research the Williston market: entry-level lawyer pay ranges from $85,119 to $105,665, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the legal practice field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williston, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Williston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williston's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Lawyer Compensation Range
The lawyer wage spread in Williston is $142,354 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,119, experienced hygienists can earn up to $227,473.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,907
2025 BLS Actual
$81,298
2026 Current Est.
$85,119
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,907 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,795 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,702 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,376 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,554 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,120 | Projected |
Entry-level lawyer compensation (10th percentile) in Williston, ND grew 31.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,907 in 2019 to $81,298 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $89,120. New graduates entering the Williston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your legal practice Career in Williston
Williston's legal employment landscape features a mix of opportunities for recent law graduates, ranging from local law firms to government entities. While BigLaw firms typically scout top graduates from prestigious law schools through on-campus interviews, there are viable paths for new entrants at mid-size firms and smaller practices that may prioritize clerkship experience or local ties over elite credentials. Government attorney roles, such as those at state AG offices or public interest positions, present valuable options, especially with programs like student loan forgiveness enhancing their appeal despite lower pay scales. To bolster starting pay prospects, aspiring lawyers should aim for credentials such as passing the state bar exam and maintaining Continuing Legal Education (CLE) compliance. As entry-level compensation in Williston may not rival larger markets, understanding the rhythm of salary growth and the work-life balance in private practice versus government roles can significantly influence early career decisions.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for lawyers in Williston in 2026?
How fast do lawyer salaries grow in Williston?
Is legal practice school worth it in Williston?
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new legal practice graduates. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Williston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov