Legal Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Lawyer Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median lawyer salary in Great Falls, MT is $119,451 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$119,451
vs State Avg
$-9,502
vs National
$-16,289
Cost of Living
88%

Lawyer Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median lawyer salary of $119,451, which is $9,502 below the Montana state average of $128,953. Compared to the national median of $135,740, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $119,451 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $135,740 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for lawyers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for lawyers in Great Falls spans from $57,200 at the 10th percentile to $210,496 at the 90th percentile — a $153,296 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,600, while senior lawyers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $193,600. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Lawyer Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level lawyer earns around $61,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $193,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$61,600
$-8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$121,440
$-16,560 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$193,600
$-26,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $57,200
25th Percentile $74,800
Median (50th) $119,451
75th Percentile $163,680
90th Percentile $210,496

Lawyer Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$156,101
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$138,455
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$130,310
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$127,596
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Lawyer in Great Falls

Education

Most lawyer positions require a doctoral degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal ResearchLitigationContract LawNegotiationWestlaw/LexisNexisOral Advocacy

Job Outlook

Nationally, lawyer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Lawyer Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open lawyer positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Lawyer Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Lawyer make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median lawyer salary in Great Falls, Montana is $119,451 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $135,740. Salaries range from $57,200 (10th percentile) to $210,496 (90th percentile).
How much does a Lawyer make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $119,451, a lawyer in Great Falls earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for lawyer pay? ▼
Great Falls's median lawyer salary of $119,451 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $128,953. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a lawyer salary of $119,451 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a lawyer in Great Falls? ▼
Most lawyer positions in Great Falls require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Research, Litigation, Contract Law, Negotiation. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.