Montana Paralegal Career and Salary Guide
Unlike most states, Montana has set minimum requirements for paralegals, allowing candidates to qualify through various combinations of education and experience. On this page, you will find information on how to become a Montana paralegal, certification options, salary information, job outlook, and career resources to help you build a career in the paralegal field.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Paralegal in Montana
- Paralegal Certification
- Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
- Paralegal Resources
How to Become a Paralegal in Montana
Montana is one of the few states that regulates the paralegal profession, requiring paralegals to meet certain educational, experience, or certification requirements, including continuing education hours. To be eligible to become a paralegal in Montana, candidates must have earned one of the following:
- An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited school
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject with at least 18 credit hours of paralegal studies coursework
- Paralegal certification by a national association or federation of paralegals
- A high school diploma with at least 4,800 hours of substantive legal experience under the supervision of an attorney and at least five contact hours of approved continuing education in legal ethics
- A law degree from an accredited law school
The basic process to become a Montana paralegal is as follows:
1. Earn a degree or certificate in paralegal studies.
One way to qualify as a paralegal in Montana is to attend one of the paralegal schools in Montana before pursuing a legal support career. Receiving a paralegal certificate, associate degree in paralegal studies, or paralegal bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university automatically qualifies candidates as paralegals in the state. Currently, there are two approved American Bar Association (ABA) programs in Montana.1
2. Gain experience.
Gaining experience is another critical factor for becoming a paralegal. Internships, job shadowing, and on-the-job training are often included in paralegal education programs. Not all programs require experience for degree credit, but taking advantage of real-world experience opportunities is recommended to make paralegal candidates more competitive in the job field. An alternative path to becoming a paralegal in Montana without a postsecondary degree is accumulating 4,800 hours of supervised substantive legal experience and completing at least five contact hours of approved continuing education in legal ethics with a high school diploma.
3. Seek certification, if desired.
Even though certification is not required to work as a legal assistant in Montana, receiving a credential from a national organization of paralegals is one of the primary ways to qualify as a Montana paralegal. Earning national paralegal certification requires candidates to meet certain educational and experiential standards, setting them apart from other candidates. Read more about Montana certification below.
Paralegal Certification in Montana
Paralegals are encouraged to seek voluntary national certification to enhance their credentials, improve their chances of getting hired, and/or advance in their careers. Montana has defined a paralegal as someone who performs substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and meets one or more of the education, training, or work experience qualifications defined by the state. National organizations such as the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA, the Paralegal Association); the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA); and the American Alliance of Paralegals Inc. (AAPI) offer voluntary certifications that demonstrate to potential employers that paralegals have met a professional standard of excellence. For more information on national certification options, take a look at our guide Steps to Become a Paralegal.
Montana Paralegal Career and Salary Outlook
Projected Job Growth
14.7%
Paralegals in Montana from 2022-20322
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported that 1,130 paralegals and legal assistants were employed in Montana, with an average annual salary of $58,310.3 Projections Central reports a 4.2% employment growth for paralegals and legal assistants nationwide, with much stronger growth projected for paralegal jobs in Montana (14.7%).2
Montana Paralegal Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Number Employed4 | Average Annual Salary4 |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | 1,130 | $58,310 |
| Billings | 180 | $60,170 |
| Great Falls | 60 | $54,180 |
| Missoula | 310 | $59,400 |
Though government agencies, banks, and corporations rely on paralegal support, law firms are the primary employers of legal assistants and paralegals nationwide. Large, full-service law firms tend to require the most paralegal support and are a good source of paralegal jobs in Montana for recently graduated candidates. Government agencies also require paralegal support and may provide a good introduction to the profession for entry-level paralegals.
LinkedIn is a good research resource where you can search on geography (Montana or city-level) for “paralegal” to find networking opportunities, job postings, and companies most associated with users identifying as paralegals; companies in Montana with the most LinkedIn users as paralegals include:
- Boone Karlberg P.C.
- Crowley Fleck Attorneys PLLP
- Datsopoulos Macdonald Lind PC
- Garlington, Lohn & Robinson
- State of Montana
For more information about paralegal careers, take a look at our careers page.
Paralegal Resources
Here are some resources to help paralegals in Montana with professional development, networking, and career growth.
Paralegal Associations in Montana
These are volunteer organizations, typically with elected boards, that focus on professional development and networking for a specific geographical location and/or area of law.
- Montana Association of Legal Assistants (MALA): Promotes the paralegal profession throughout the state, supporting paralegal education through members-only events, a public job bank, and leadership opportunities.
- State Bar of Montana: Aids the courts in maintaining and improving the legal profession within the state through a strict code of ethics.
Additional Resources
- Montana Judicial Branch: Provides links to all courts within the state’s jurisdiction with access to court forms, rules, dockets, and e-filing systems.
- Paralegal411 Jobs Board: To search for paralegal jobs in Montana, be sure to visit our jobs board.
- State Law Library of Montana: Provides the general public and legal professionals access to a robust collection of legal resources focusing on state law, as well as select titles in national and international law.
- University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law William J. Jameson Law Library: Offers access to an extensive print and electronic collection of Montana law resources, as well as national and international law.
References:
1. American Bar Association Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals/paralegal-resource-directory/
2. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections, 2022-2032: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm