Lawyer Salary in Billings, MT: $109,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in Billings, MT earns a median $109,045/year (≈ $52.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $116,593 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a lawyer in Billings, Montana, will see a median annual salary of $109,045, reflecting a significant earning potential compared to the national median of $167,174. The salary range for legal professionals in the area spans from $66,830 for the lowest earners to $199,370 for those at the highest end of compensation. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and underscores the nuanced differences in earning experiences between public sector attorneys and those in private practice. While many lawyers in Billings are drawn to its more manageable cost of living, they may also weigh the benefits of student loan forgiveness programs available through public service jobs against the robust salaries that larger firms can provide.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,617 | $45.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,045 | $52.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,726 | $72.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,370 | $95.85 |
Median Salary Position
34.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,540 (2026 est.). At $109,045, the local median is 34.77% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Lawyer Pay Compares
Billings median: $109,045/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $111,498 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -34.77% less |
Lawyers in Billings, MT earn a median of $109,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.77% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 2.20% below the Montana state average of $111,498.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A lawyer earning $109,045 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,593 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,450
2025 BLS Actual
$104,150
2026 Current Est.
$109,045
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 27.9% from $81,450 (2019) to $104,150 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,720 (40.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,830 – $94,617 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,617 – $109,045 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,045 – $150,726 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,726 – $199,370 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in Billings
With approximately 380 lawyers in the Billings area, the local job market remains competitive yet accessible. The cost of living index stands at 93.526, which means that legal professionals may enjoy greater purchasing power compared to many other regions in the country. Highest salaries typically come from larger firms or in-house corporate legal departments, while public sector salaries may offer more stability in exchange for lower financial rewards. Factors contributing to the significant disparities in pay include the tier of the firm, the attorney's specialization, billable hour expectations, and whether one operates in a public or private capacity. To maximize earning potential in Billings, aspiring lawyers should consider aligning their practice with higher-paying sectors or building expertise in areas with demonstrated demand, staying informed about the evolving landscape of legal compensation.
More salary data for Billings, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $104,150 for lawyersin the Billings metropolitan area. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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