Lawyer Salary in North Dakota: $116,096 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median lawyer pay sits at $116,096/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 23-1011. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $126,191 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Fargo ($144,364), Dickinson ($143,635), Williston ($140,169).
In North Dakota, lawyer salaries reflect a significant difference compared to national averages. The 2026 average median salary for lawyers in the state is $116,096, which is 30.6% lower than the national median of $167,174. The salary disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities is notable, with West Fargo leading at $151,149 and Grand Forks at the lower end with $109,108, resulting in a salary gap of $42,041. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the local demand for legal services, regional economic conditions, and the concentration of law firms in certain areas. North Dakota requires attorneys to meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that may differ from other states. The legal market is expected to grow at an annual CAGR of 4.70%, indicating a steady demand for legal professionals in the coming years. Key cities projected to offer higher salaries include Dickinson at $150,386, Williston at $146,757, and Mandan at $143,745. Overall, while salaries in North Dakota may be lower than the national average, the anticipated job market growth and varying city salaries present opportunities for aspiring lawyers.
North Dakota Lawyer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $73,405 (lowest entry-level) to $234,281 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota lawyers earn 30.55% less than the national median ($-51,078/year difference).
North Dakota Lawyer Salary Distribution (2026)
Lawyer salaries in North Dakota range from $75,377 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $205,309 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $116,096. The North Dakota median is $51,078 below the US national median of $167,174. The average hourly rate is $55.82/hr. Approximately 887 lawyers are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$108,251
2025 BLS Actual
$110,884
2026 Current Est.
$116,096
2019–2027 Growth
+12.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,251 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,903 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,398 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,243 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,482 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,096 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,552 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 2.4% from $108,251 (2019) to $110,884 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,552 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,301 (12.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $109,108 |
| Bismarck | $114,133 |
| Fargo | $116,311 |
| Minot | $119,546 |
| Mandan | $143,745 |
Best Value Cities for Lawyers in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for lawyers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo | $151,149 | 92 | $164,292 |
| Dickinson | $150,386 | 92 | $163,463 |
| Williston | $146,757 | 92 | $159,518 |
| Mandan | $143,745 | 92 | $156,245 |
| Minot | $119,546 | 87.028 | $137,365 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,377 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $116,096 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $205,309 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Fargo | $151,149 |
| 2 | Dickinson | $150,386 |
| 3 | Williston | $146,757 |
| 4 | Mandan | $143,745 |
| 5 | Minot | $119,546 |
| 6 | Fargo | $116,311 |
| 7 | Bismarck | $114,133 |
| 8 | Grand Forks | $109,108 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Explore More Lawyer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do lawyers make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for lawyers in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota lawyer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level lawyer salary in North Dakota?
How many lawyers are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for lawyers?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 lawyer compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more lawyerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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