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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Legal Assistant in Iowa is $68,006 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Legal Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Legal Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $77,344 | $6,445 | $1,487 | $37 |
| Average | $68,006 | $5,667 | $1,308 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,388 | $5,366 | $1,238 | $31 |
The Reserves Network Inc - West Des Moines, IA
34259 - Blitt and Gaines PC - Urbandale, IA
BrownWinick - Des Moines, IA
34259 - Blitt and Gaines PC - Urbandale, IA
A Legal Assistant'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.
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Legal Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Legal Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 38% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Legal Assistant positions in MFG Nondurable or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Legal Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $81,607 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $78,207 | $38.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $76,166 | $37.0 | 12% |
| Insurance | $74,806 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $73,446 | $35.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Legal Assistant'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $77,344 | $6,445 | $1,487 | $37 |
| Average | $68,006 | $5,667 | $1,308 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,388 | $5,366 | $1,238 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Legal Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
34259 - Blitt and Gaines PC
Urbandale, IA
34259 - Blitt and Gaines PC | Urbandale, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. About Blitt and Gaines. Blitt and Gaines, P.C. is a leading debt collection law firm with over 30 years of e... more
4 Days Ago
Gurstel Law Firm P C
West Des Moines, IA
Gurstel Law Firm P C | West Des Moines, IA
Job Description. Job Description. DO YOU HAVE GREAT ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS. LOOKING TO GET INTO THE LEGAL FIELD. NO EVENINGS. NO WEEKENDS. Gurstel Law Firm,... more
3 Days Ago
Lamson Dugan & Murray Llp.
West Des Moines, IA
Lamson Dugan & Murray Llp. | West Des Moines, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP is seeking a seasoned legal administrative assistant to join our litigation group in our West D... more
6 Days Ago
S&S Employment Partners
Des Moines, IA
S&S Employment Partners | Des Moines, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Our client seeks a Legal. Secretary/Assistant/Paralegal. Personal Injury/Workers Compensation to join their growing team.... more
2 Days Ago
ABC Legal Services
Davenport, IA
ABC Legal Services | Davenport, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Work when you want – Earn what you need. Delivering Legal Documents in your area with ABC Legal Services allows you to ha... more
2 Days Ago
Mission Recruiting
Dallas, IA
Mission Recruiting | Dallas, IA
Founded in 2013 by two seasoned recruiting professionals with nearly a decade of retained-search experience Mission Recruiting was built to deliver high-le... more
6 Days Ago
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