How much does a Lawyer make in Montana?

BLS puts the average Lawyer pay in Montana at $115,830 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Montana, after federal taxes, FICA, and Montana state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $85,133 annually ($7,094/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Lawyer in Montana?

On a $115,830 salary in Montana, your take-home pay is approximately $85,133/year or $7,094/month. Federal tax: $16,653. State tax: $5,183. FICA: $8,861.

Is $115,830 a good Lawyer salary?

$115,830 is the BLS average Lawyer pay in Montana, 38% below the US average of $185,840 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Montana earn between $84,180 and $133,660.

How do Montana taxes affect Lawyer salaries?

Montana levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $115,830 is $5,183. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 26.5%.

What are the career growth prospects for Lawyers?

In Montana, the top 10% earn over $179,620 and the bottom 10% under $62,090 (BLS, May 2025). 8% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: Attorney, Corporate Counsel, Public Defender, Paralegal.

How can a Lawyer in Montana reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Legal

Lawyer Salary in Montana (2026)

Average Lawyer pay in Montana

$115,830/year

≈ $56/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $84,180–$133,660

US average: $185,840

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$85,133/year

$7,094/month · effective tax rate 26.5%

Federal $16,653
State $5,183
FICA $8,861
Take-home

Pay by role in Montana

Partner (Crowley Fleck / Holland & Hart MT)$285,000–$685,000+ profit share
Partner (Garlington / Worden / Browning / Christensen)$215,000–$485,000+ profit share
Senior MT Tribal Lawyer$165,000–$355,000+ bonus
Senior Natural Resources / Mining Lawyer$185,000–$385,000+ bonus
Senior MT Ranch / Agriculture Lawyer$155,000–$315,000+ bonus
Senior In-House Counsel (Billings Clinic / NorthWestern)$165,000–$285,000+ TC

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$85,133
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$7,094
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,274
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$41/hr
Federal Tax	$16,653
State Tax	$5,183
FICA Taxes	$8,861
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	26.5%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Lawyers earn the same — not even close

Montana's legal market is anchored by Crowley Fleck PLLP Billings (largest MT-HQ law firm ~120+ attorneys + multi-state MT + WY + ND + SD offices + the substantial Crowley Fleck corporate + real estate + oil & gas + tribal + natural resources law), Holland & Hart LLP Billings + Helena (Denver-HQ AmLaw 200 + substantial MT offices), Garlington Lohn & Robinson Missoula + Worden Thane Missoula + Browning Kaleczyc Berry & Hoven Helena + Christensen Fulton & Filz Billings + Datsopoulos MacDonald & Lind Missoula + Moulton Bellingham Billings (substantial MT mid-size practices), the substantial MT tribal law specialty (7 MT reservations + Crow + Blackfeet + Northern Cheyenne + Salish Kootenai + Fort Peck + Fort Belknap + Rocky Boy + the substantial post-1934 IRA tribal law + tribal sovereignty + the substantial MT post-2020 tribal energy law), University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law Missoula (the only MT ABA-accredited law school + ~75 JDs/yr).

Partner (Crowley Fleck / Holland & Hart MT)

$285,000–$685,000+ profit share

MT-HQ + Holland & Hart partner · largest MT practices + multi-state regional firm

Partner (Garlington / Worden / Browning / Christensen)

$215,000–$485,000+ profit share

MT mid-size law firm partner · Missoula + Billings + Helena commercial + litigation

Senior MT Tribal Lawyer

$165,000–$355,000+ bonus

MT tribal law specialty · 7 MT reservations + sovereignty + energy + gaming + the substantial Crow + Blackfeet

Senior Natural Resources / Mining Lawyer

$185,000–$385,000+ bonus

Stillwater Mining + MT oil & gas + Eastern MT Bakken + the substantial MT natural resources

Senior MT Ranch / Agriculture Lawyer

$155,000–$315,000+ bonus

MT ranch + family farm + the substantial MT post-2020 ranch transactions + estate planning

Senior In-House Counsel (Billings Clinic / NorthWestern)

$165,000–$285,000+ TC

Billings Clinic + Logan Health + NorthWestern Energy + D.A. Davidson + Stillwater · in-house GC

AUSA / DOJ Federal Prosecutor

$135,000–$215,000

US Attorney District of MT Billings + Helena + Great Falls · GS-14/15 federal

Senior Public Defender / DA

$78,000–$125,000

MT County prosecutor + Public Defender · Yellowstone + Missoula + Lewis & Clark + Gallatin County

Mid-Level Associate (3-6 yrs)

$98,000–$155,000+ bonus

Mid-level at MT firms · transitioning to senior band

Junior Associate (0-3 yrs)

$72,000–$118,000+ bonus

UM Blewett Law + post-clerkship pipeline · entry MT band

Worth knowing: Montana tribal law specialty + 7 MT reservations is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state tribal law anchor and a feature most national legal surveys understate for MT. The substantial MT tribal law specialty (7 MT reservations including Crow Crow Agency + Blackfeet Browning + Northern Cheyenne Lame Deer + Flathead Salish Kootenai Pablo + Fort Peck Assiniboine-Sioux Poplar + Fort Belknap Assiniboine-Gros Ventre Harlem + Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Box Elder + the substantial post-1934 Indian Reorganization Act IRA tribal law + the substantial MT tribal sovereignty + the substantial MT-tribal compact + the substantial post-2020 MT tribal energy law including Crow coal + Fort Peck oil + the substantial MT tribal gaming compact + the substantial Salish Kootenai post-2015 Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes CSKT Compact Hellgate Treaty water rights settlement + the substantial MT tribal jurisdiction Indian Civil Rights Act + the substantial MT tribal economic development) supports distinctive MT tribal legal work. Senior MT tribal lawyers clear $165-355K+ bonus. Crowley Fleck PLLP Billings (largest MT-HQ ~120+ attorneys + multi-state MT + WY + ND + SD + the substantial Crowley Fleck corporate + real estate + oil & gas + tribal + natural resources) + Holland & Hart MT + Garlington + Worden Thane + Browning Kaleczyc + Christensen + Datsopoulos + Moulton Bellingham. UM Alexander Blewett III School of Law Missoula as the only MT ABA-accredited law school. MT is NOT a RTW state + the substantial MT public + private sector collective bargaining preserved. MT top 5.65% + MT 0% sales tax anchor the MT legal proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Lawyers in Montana and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Montana 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers