BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota

$58,880 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$28.31 per hour

▼ 15.5% below U.S. average42nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$58,880per year
Median$59,430per year
Hourly$28.31per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,300 – $78,430per year

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Pay Range in North Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,300
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$49,290
  • 50th Percentile — Median$59,430
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$66,120
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,430

Half of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota earn more than $59,430. The top 10% make $78,430 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,300.

Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Dakota ranks 42nd of 51 states for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay, at $58,880 per year (15.5% below the U.S. average of $69,700).
  • 730 people work as Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota — 0.2% of all U.S. Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.67: Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are less concentrated in North Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,300; the top 10% earn over $78,430.
  • Hourly equivalent: $28.31 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $95,400.
  • Among legal jobs in North Dakota, Lawyers pays the most ($128,680).

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Job Market in North Dakota

Key factors affecting compensation

North Dakota's key industries are Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Paralegals and Legal Assistants here earn $58,880 on average, placing the state 42nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Dakota salary of $58,880 is roughly equivalent to $64,000 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arkansas ($60,110), Louisiana ($59,360), Kentucky ($59,240) are the closest alternatives for Paralegals and Legal Assistants weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in North Dakota?

The average Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary in North Dakota is $58,880 per year (median $59,430), which is 15.5% below the national average of $69,700.

How does North Dakota rank for Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay?

North Dakota ranks 42nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($95,400/yr).

How much do entry-level Paralegals and Legal Assistants make in North Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota earn about $45,300 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,290.

How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants make per hour in North Dakota?

About $28.31 per hour, based on the $58,880 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Paralegals and Legal Assistants work in North Dakota?

BLS counts 730 Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs in North Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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