Paralegal Hourly Pay in Williston, ND: $27.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Williston, ND runs $27.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Williston's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,284 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Williston, North Dakota, the projected paralegal hourly pay for 2026 is set at $27.47, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.30. This disparity could affect part-time workers or per-diem paralegals, who often seek flexible arrangements across various professional settings, including law firm cubicles, corporate legal departments, and remote e-discovery tasks. For entry-level paralegals, hourly compensation starts at approximately $20.65, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $42.58 per hour, reflecting a wide range of expertise and specialization. The pay structure in Williston is influenced by the local economy and cost of living index, which, at 92, indicates a less expensive living environment compared to national averages.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.65 | $165.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Median (P50) | $27.47 | $219.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.52 | $276.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.58 | $340.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Williston
Based on $27.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.47/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Williston, ND can expect to earn approximately $57,141 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,966. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Williston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Williston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,098.86 | $4,762 | $57,141 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $659.32 | $2,857 | $34,284 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.54 | $1,905 | $22,856 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Williston) | $27.47 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Williston, ND earn a median of $57,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $59,903.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.47/hr = $34,284/year (purchasing power: $37,266).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,141/year (purchasing power: $62,110).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Williston grew 21.6% from $21.83/hr (2019) to $26.54/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.44/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Williston
Examining part-time earning potential reveals that a paralegal working three days a week, or 24 hours, would take home about $34,080 annually, significantly lower than full-time counterparts. This can be viable for those who value work-life balance over maximum earnings. Freelance and per-diem positions present varying rates, with contract paralegals billing anywhere from $25 to $60 per hour, depending on their specialization and the nature of the work. Different employer types create distinct pay variations: while larger firms may offer higher hourly wages, they often demand longer hours compared to in-house corporate roles that provide steadier schedules. Paralegals should consider benefits when weighing job offers; a lower hourly pay might come with health insurance or retirement options that could be beneficial. Additionally, effective negotiation strategies in Williston include understanding market rates based on employer size, as well as emphasizing specialized skills such as e-discovery, which can increase hourly wages significantly.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Williston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov