As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Legal Assistant/Secretary in the United States is $51,955 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Legal Assistant/Secretary's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Legal Assistant/Secretary'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Legal Assistant/Secretary'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Legal Assistant/Secretary | $50,006 |
| Intermediate Level Legal Assistant/Secretary | $51,955 |
| Senior Level Legal Assistant/Secretary | $55,060 |
| Specialist Level Legal Assistant/Secretary | $55,515 |
| Expert Level Legal Assistant/Secretary | $55,742 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Assistant/Secretaries. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 5.57% |
| Microsoft Word | 2.51% |
| Word Processing | 1.71% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Intellectual Property
|
$64,424 |
24%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$57,151 |
10%
|
|
Leadership
|
$56,631 |
9%
|
|
Hard Working
|
$56,631 |
9%
|
|
Client Service
|
$56,112 |
8%
|
|
Critical Thinking
|
$55,072 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Legal Assistant/Secretaries enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Legal Assistant/Secretary with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $54,626 and $58,770).
Legal Assistant/Secretary Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.2% |
| High School | 31.7% |
| Associates | 22.7% |
| Bachelors | 41.3% |
| Masters | 2.4% |
| Doctorate | 0.7% |
Understanding how a Legal Assistant/Secretary'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Legal Assistant/Secretary can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,532 in 2023 to around $47,407 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Legal Assistant/Secretary salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $47,532 |
| 2024 | $47,685 |
| 2025 | $47,407 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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