Paralegals and Legal Assistants Salary in Helena, MT
The median pay for a paralegals and legal assistants in Helena, MT is $58,800/year ($28.27/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.67), that's roughly $61,461 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,404/month — about 36.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in Helena?
About paralegals and legal assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Helena, MT
Entry-level paralegals and legal assistants (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $99K | +63% | 5,880 |
| Washington | $78K | +28% | 9,070 |
| Massachusetts | $75K | +23% | 7,520 |
| California | $73K | +20% | 45,740 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +10% | 6,640 |
| New York | $66K | +9% | 28,510 |
| Oregon | $64K | +5% | 4,910 |
| Maryland | $64K | +4% | 5,770 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +4% | 4,920 |
| Vermont | $63K | +3% | 730 |
| New Jersey | $63K | +3% | 11,720 |
| Illinois | $62K | +2% | 12,430 |
| Nevada | $62K | +2% | 3,490 |
| Michigan | $61K | +1% | 7,240 |
| Nebraska | $61K | +1% | 1,570 |
Track paralegals and legal assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Helena numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paralegals and legal assistants make in Helena, MT?
The median is $58,800 a year - that works out to about $28.27 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,030, and experienced paralegals and legal assistants can clear $76,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Helena?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,910/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,404/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 35.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a paralegals and legal assistants salary go in Helena?
Helena has a Regional Price Parity of 95.67 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median paralegals and legal assistants salary is worth about $61,461 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paralegals and legal assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.