Lawyer Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $52.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a lawyer working in Butte, MT runs $52.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,313 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,993 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lawyers in Butte, MT, earn a median hourly rate of $52.08, significantly below the national median of $80.37. For solo practitioners, partnership roles in law firms, or working part-time—such as just three days a week—this can impact take-home pay considerably, as the demand for legal counsel in various settings, including courtrooms and corporate offices, varies. With an hourly range from $30.21 for entry-level positions (P10) to $80.71 for top earners (P90), this reflects a steep gradient based on experience, specialization, and the type of law practiced. Many lawyers find themselves working in both traditional law firm environments and increasingly flexible arrangements, like remote contract drafting, which presents unique opportunities for varied compensation structures drawn from annual estimates.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($110,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Lawyer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.21 | $241.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.49 | $299.94 |
| Median (P50) | $52.08 | $416.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.65 | $533.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.71 | $645.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $52.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.08/hr, a lawyer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $108,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,493. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,083.11 | $9,027 | $108,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,249.87 | $5,416 | $64,993 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $833.24 | $3,611 | $43,329 |
Compare Esq Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Lawyer (Butte) | $52.08 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Judge / Magistrate (National Avg) | $68.41 |
| Arbitrator / Mediator (National Avg) | $38.60 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
Lawyers in Butte, MT earn a median of $108,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.21% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $111,433.
Lawyer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.08/hr = $64,993/year (purchasing power: $67,560).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,322/year (purchasing power: $112,601).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Lawyers in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for lawyers in Butte grew 29.9% from $38.30/hr (2019) to $49.74/hr (2025). At a 4.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.53/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem lawyers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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.
Working as an Hourly Lawyer in Butte
Focusing on part-time structures, a lawyer working 24 hours a week in Butte could earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts due to the hourly pay scale's limitations. Part-time earnings would be reduced to approximately $53,000 annually, which is a stark contrast to full-time earnings that could exceed $108,313 based on the median hourly rate. For per-diem lawyers, the reality is multifaceted: contract attorney roles may start with lower rates of around $25 to $50 per hour, whereas 1099 arrangements could net between $200 to $500 per hour depending on the case and expertise needed. Rates can vary greatly across different employers in Butte; larger firms may offer entry-level salaries that align closer to industry standards in urban centers while public sector roles typically follow a much lower pay scale. Some attorneys might prioritize securing health benefits over hourly rates, which can lead to accepting positions in government or in-house roles. When negotiating, knowing the market can provide leverage, ensuring that lawyers in Butte can advocate for their worth in a broader, competitive job market.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for lawyers in Butte. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Butte 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