How much does a Lawyer make in North Dakota?

BLS puts the average Lawyer pay in North Dakota at $128,680 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in North Dakota, after federal taxes, FICA, and North Dakota state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $97,990 annually ($8,166/month).

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

On a $128,680 salary in North Dakota, your take-home pay is approximately $97,990/year or $8,166/month. Federal tax: $19,617. State tax: $1,229. FICA: $9,844.

Is $128,680 a good Lawyer salary?

$128,680 is the BLS average Lawyer pay in North Dakota, 31% below the US average of $185,840 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in North Dakota earn between $92,510 and $137,380.

How do North Dakota taxes affect Lawyer salaries?

North Dakota levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $128,680 is $1,229. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 23.8%.

What are the career growth prospects for Lawyers?

In North Dakota, the top 10% earn over $194,840 and the bottom 10% under $70,500 (BLS, May 2025). 8% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: Attorney, Corporate Counsel, Public Defender, Paralegal.

How can a Lawyer in North Dakota 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 North Dakota (2026)

Average Lawyer pay in North Dakota

$128,680/year

≈ $62/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $92,510–$137,380

US average: $185,840

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$97,990/year

$8,166/month · effective tax rate 23.85%

Federal $19,617
State $1,229
FICA $9,844
Take-home

Pay by role in North Dakota

Partner (Vogel / Crowley Fleck ND)$245,000–$585,000+ profit share
Partner (Conmy Feste / Pearson Christensen)$185,000–$425,000+ profit share
Senior Bakken Oil + Gas Lawyer$215,000–$485,000+ bonus
Senior ND Tribal Lawyer$155,000–$345,000+ bonus
Senior ND Ranch / Agriculture Lawyer$135,000–$285,000+ bonus
Senior In-House Counsel (Microsoft / Doosan-Bobcat)$165,000–$285,000+ TC

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$97,990
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$8,166
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,769
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$47/hr
Federal Tax	$19,617
State Tax	$1,229
FICA Taxes	$9,844
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	23.85%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Lawyers earn the same — not even close

North Dakota's legal market is anchored by Vogel Law Firm Fargo + Bismarck (largest ND-HQ law firm + the substantial Vogel corporate + Bakken oil + tribal + ag law), Crowley Fleck PLLP Bismarck (multi-state MT + ND + WY + SD law firm + the substantial Crowley Fleck corporate + real estate + oil & gas + tribal + natural resources), Stinson LLP Fargo + Dorsey & Whitney Bismarck (substantial AmLaw multi-state firms with ND offices), Conmy Feste Bismarck + Pearson Christensen Fargo + Smith Bakke Porsborg & Schweigert Bismarck (substantial ND mid-size practices), the substantial Bakken oil law (Continental + ConocoPhillips + Hess + Marathon Bakken corporate + the substantial multi-state oil + gas + Dakota Access Pipeline DAPL law + the substantial post-2016 Standing Rock #NoDAPL litigation), the substantial ND tribal law (Standing Rock + Spirit Lake + MHA Nation + Turtle Mountain + Sisseton-Wahpeton + the substantial post-2016 #NoDAPL + tribal sovereignty + tribal energy law), University of North Dakota School of Law Grand Forks (the only ND ABA-accredited law school + ~70 JDs/yr).

Partner (Vogel / Crowley Fleck ND)

$245,000–$585,000+ profit share

ND-HQ + multi-state partner · largest ND practices + corporate + Bakken oil law

Partner (Conmy Feste / Pearson Christensen)

$185,000–$425,000+ profit share

ND mid-size law firm partner · Bismarck + Fargo commercial + litigation

Senior Bakken Oil + Gas Lawyer

$215,000–$485,000+ bonus

Bakken oil + gas + DAPL + multi-state oil + gas regulatory + transactional

Senior ND Tribal Lawyer

$155,000–$345,000+ bonus

ND tribal law · 5 ND reservations + post-2016 Standing Rock #NoDAPL + tribal sovereignty

Senior ND Ranch / Agriculture Lawyer

$135,000–$285,000+ bonus

ND ranch + family farm + ND #1 US wheat + canola + the substantial ND ag estate

Senior In-House Counsel (Microsoft / Doosan-Bobcat)

$165,000–$285,000+ TC

Microsoft Fargo + Doosan-Bobcat + Sanford + Bell Bank · in-house GC

AUSA / DOJ Federal Prosecutor

$135,000–$215,000

US Attorney District of ND Fargo + Bismarck · GS-14/15 federal prosecutor

Senior Public Defender / DA

$72,000–$118,000

ND County prosecutor + Public Defender · Cass + Burleigh + Grand Forks + Ward County

Mid-Level Associate (3-6 yrs)

$92,000–$148,000+ bonus

Mid-level at ND firms · transitioning to senior band

Junior Associate (0-3 yrs)

$68,000–$108,000+ bonus

UND Law + post-clerkship pipeline · entry ND band

Worth knowing: Bakken oil + gas law + post-2016 Standing Rock #NoDAPL tribal litigation is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state oil + tribal litigation anchor and a feature most national legal surveys understate for ND. The substantial Bakken oil + gas law (Continental Resources + ConocoPhillips + Hess + Marathon Oil + Oasis Petroleum Bakken corporate + transactional law + the substantial multi-state oil + gas regulatory + the substantial Dakota Access Pipeline DAPL law + the substantial post-2016 Standing Rock #NoDAPL Energy Transfer Partners litigation + the substantial post-2024 DAPL Environmental Impact Statement EIS + the substantial Bakken multi-state takeaway + the substantial Bakken severance + production tax + ND mineral rights law + ND surface use + reclamation) supports substantial ND oil law. Senior Bakken oil lawyers clear $215-485K+ bonus. The substantial ND tribal law (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Fort Yates + Cannon Ball + Spirit Lake Nation Fort Totten + Three Affiliated Tribes Mandan Hidatsa Arikara MHA Nation New Town + Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Belcourt + Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate cross-border ND-SD + the substantial post-2016 Standing Rock #NoDAPL protests + the substantial post-2024 DAPL litigation + tribal sovereignty + tribal energy law) supports substantial ND tribal law. Vogel Law Firm + Crowley Fleck PLLP + Stinson + Dorsey & Whitney + UND School of Law. ND flat 1.95%/2.5% top + ND RTW since 1948 anchor the ND legal proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Lawyers in North Dakota and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and North Dakota 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