SOC 23-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants — North Dakota
North Dakota · 4 metro areas compared
At $59,430, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota tracks the national median of $62,890 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $59,430, median pay for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota tracks the national median of $62,890 closely. Pay ranges from under $45,300 at the tenth percentile to more than $78,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $49,290 to $66,120.
Employment stands at 730, or 1.7 jobs per thousand held locally. North Dakota ranks number 34th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bismarck records the highest median at $60,110. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 304th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,300 | −28.0% |
| 25th | $49,290 | −21.6% |
| Median (50th) | $59,430 | −5.5% |
| 75th | $66,120 | +5.1% |
| 90th | $78,430 | +24.7% |
| Mean | $58,880 | −6.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $60,110 | 160 | |
| 2 | Minot | $59,430 | 70 | |
| 3 | Fargo | $57,550 | 310 | |
| 4 | Grand Forks | $49,290 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $59,430 goes as far as $66,775 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,775US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,430 a year, 5.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,300 to $78,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 730 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bismarck, at $60,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $59,430, or $28.57 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,890, so pay in North Dakota is 5.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Dakota earns more than $78,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Bismarck, at $60,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 730 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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