Lawyer Salaries in North Dakota

$97,000 Average Salary
45% Below National Average
$86K Median
$136K Top 10%
$56K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
North Dakota Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $97,000 (-45% below national)
  • Career Range: $55,886 (Entry) → $192,500 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($137K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($162K), In-House ($107K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Montana, Wyoming ; Below Minnesota

North Dakota's legal market surged during the oil boom but has stabilized. Energy law remains important. Very low cost of living with cold winters.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in North Dakota

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$55,886
Median: $47K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$79,750
Median: $70K
6-10 years
Senior
$107,250
Median: $95K
10+ years
Partner
$192,500
Median: $157K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in North Dakota can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $55,886, experienced partners earn $192,500 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in North Dakota

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$162,250
Entry: $124K Senior: $239K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$101,750
Entry: $85K Senior: $151K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$60,500
Entry: $41K Senior: $91K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$46,750
Entry: $28K Senior: $83K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$107,250
Entry: $63K Senior: $175K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$53,900
Entry: $36K Senior: $81K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$39,600
Entry: $30K Senior: $52K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In North Dakota, BigLaw pays $108,350 more than government roles ($162,250 vs $53,900). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in North Dakota

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $137K Entry: $80K | Senior: $209K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $128K Entry: $83K | Senior: $220K ⚖ Antitrust Law $124K Entry: $80K | Senior: $209K 📈 Securities Law $118K Entry: $77K | Senior: $198K 🏛 Corporate Law $114K Entry: $74K | Senior: $193K © Intellectual Property $110K Entry: $69K | Senior: $176K 🏦 Banking & Finance $109K Entry: $72K | Senior: $184K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $102K Entry: $63K | Senior: $162K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $102K Entry: $63K | Senior: $162K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $98K Entry: $61K | Senior: $157K 📊 Tax Law $96K Entry: $61K | Senior: $154K ⚖ Energy Law $96K Entry: $61K | Senior: $154K 🌐 International Law $95K Entry: $58K | Senior: $151K 🎬 Entertainment Law $92K Entry: $47K | Senior: $151K ⚖ International Trade Law $92K Entry: $58K | Senior: $149K 🏥 Healthcare Law $91K Entry: $55K | Senior: $146K ⚖ Government Contracts $91K Entry: $55K | Senior: $146K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $85K Entry: $52K | Senior: $138K ⚖ Aviation Law $85K Entry: $52K | Senior: $135K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $81K Entry: $41K | Senior: $132K ⚖ Maritime Law $81K Entry: $48K | Senior: $129K 🔨 Litigation $81K Entry: $52K | Senior: $138K 👔 Employment Law $78K Entry: $48K | Senior: $127K ⚖ Sports Law $78K Entry: $41K | Senior: $129K 🏠 Real Estate $76K Entry: $47K | Senior: $121K 🏗 Construction Law $76K Entry: $45K | Senior: $121K 🌿 Environmental Law $74K Entry: $45K | Senior: $118K 🛒 Insurance Law $70K Entry: $43K | Senior: $113K 🩹 Personal Injury $69K Entry: $36K | Senior: $110K 📜 Estate Planning $59K Entry: $34K | Senior: $96K ⚖ Education Law $58K Entry: $34K | Senior: $91K 👪 Family Law $57K Entry: $32K | Senior: $91K 🚓 Criminal Law $54K Entry: $29K | Senior: $85K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $54K Entry: $36K | Senior: $81K 🧰 Workers Compensation $54K Entry: $32K | Senior: $85K ⚖ Criminal Defense $54K Entry: $29K | Senior: $85K 👴 Elder Law $51K Entry: $30K | Senior: $80K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $48K Entry: $29K | Senior: $80K 🌍 Immigration Law $47K Entry: $30K | Senior: $77K
Practice Area Comparison

In North Dakota, Patent Law lawyers earn $89,206 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($136,541 vs $47,335). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

North Dakota Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 2,000+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 1 ABA Law Schools
📍 Fargo Largest Legal Market
📈 90% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in North Dakota

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 8.9 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $162K
5.3 yrs
In-House $107K
8.1 yrs
Government $54K
16.1 yrs PSLF eligible
At North Dakota's average salary of $97,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 8.9 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How North Dakota compares to neighboring states

North Dakota Current
$97K
Minnesota
$135K +39%
Montana
$96K -1%
Wyoming
$95K -2%
South Dakota
$94K -3%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

North Dakota offers a cost of living 10% below the national average, making salaries go further. Median home price: $270,000 - significantly lower than coastal states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in North Dakota is $97,000, which is 45% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $55,886 for entry-level positions to $192,500 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in North Dakota, with an average salary of $136,541. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $79,750, while senior attorneys can earn $209,000 or more.

First-year lawyers in North Dakota earn an average of $55,886. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $123,750+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $35,750 to $41,250.

Major BigLaw firms in North Dakota typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in North Dakota is approximately $162,250, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

North Dakota ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $97,000 is 45% lower than compared to Minnesota ($135K), Montana ($96K), Wyoming ($95K).

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