upper level job

Legal Assistant IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Legal Assistant IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Legal Assistant IV in the United States is $97,788 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, a Legal Assistant IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $120,056
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,872 to $109,444
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,202

Key Factors That Influence Legal Assistant IV Salaries

A Legal Assistant IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Legal Assistant IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Legal Assistant IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Legal Assistant II (1-3 years): $78,106
  • Legal Assistant III (3-5 years): $88,905
  • Legal Assistant IV (5-7 years): $97,788
  • Paralegal Supervisor (7+ years): $93,801
  • Paralegal Manager (7+ years): $119,523
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Legal Assistant II1-3 years$78,106
Legal Assistant III3-5 years$88,905
Legal Assistant IV5-7 years$97,788
Paralegal Supervisor7+ years$93,801
Paralegal Manager7+ years$119,523

Top Paying Cities for Legal Assistant IV

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $123,340
  • San Francisco: $121,990
  • Oakland: $119,419

Legal Assistant IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Legal Assistant IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $109,468. While startup companies pay approximate $92,607.

Legal Assistant IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $92,607
Growth Stage 51~500 $97,943
Established 501~5000 $105,711
Enterprise 5000+ $109,468

Legal Assistant IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Legal Assistant IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Legal Assistant positions in Telecom or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Legal Assistant IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Legal Assistant IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$122,235$59.025%
Aerospace & Defense$117,346$56.020%
Pharmaceuticals$117,346$56.020%
Healthcare$112,456$54.015%
Construction$107,567$52.010%

Legal Assistant IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Legal Assistant IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$83,872
Average $97,788/year
$109,444
$6,989
Average $8,149/month
$9,120
$1,613
Average $1,881/week
$2,105
$40
Average $47/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,444 $9,120 $2,105 $53
Average $97,788 $8,149 $1,881 $47
25th Percentile $83,872 $6,989 $1,613 $40

Legal Assistant IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Legal Assistant IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Paralegal Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,801 - a projected growth of -4% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Legal Assistant IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Legal Assistant IV

Here are companies hiring for Legal Assistant IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Legal Assistant IV Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Legal Assistant IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Legal Assistant IV

1. Where can a Legal Assistant IV earn the most?

A Legal Assistant IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Legal Assistant IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Legal Assistant IV is $123,340.

2. What is the highest pay for Legal Assistant IV?

The highest pay for Legal Assistant IV is $120,056.

3. What is the lowest pay for Legal Assistant IV?

The lowest pay for Legal Assistant IV is $71,202.

4. What are the responsibilities of Legal Assistant IV?

Performs administrative and paralegal duties for attorneys or legal firms. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Assists with scheduling and client correspondence. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Legal Assistant IV?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Legal Assistant IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job