Legal Secretary Salary in 2026
Legal secretaries provide administrative support to lawyers, managing schedules, preparing legal documents, and maintaining case files. They handle correspondence and court filing procedures.
Median Salary
$55,570
$4,631/mo
Entry Level
$39,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$69,500
experienced
Job Growth
-4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6012) at a national median of $55,570 per year (mean $60,620), or $26.72 per hour, with 156,280 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Legal Secretary Overview
Legal secretaries provide administrative support to lawyers, managing schedules, preparing legal documents, and maintaining case files. They handle correspondence and court filing procedures.
Education
Associate's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Legal
Total Jobs (US)
156K
5-Year Growth
+7%
Category
Legal
Hourly Rate
$26.72/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,631
Legal Secretary Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Legal Secretary salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Legal Secretary Salary
$59,000
$4,917/month · $2,269/biweekly · $28.37/hr
Legal Secretary Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Legal Secretary field.
Entry-level Legal Secretarys earn around $39,500, while the top 10% earn $74,800 or more.
Top Paying States for Legal Secretarys
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $66,000 | +$10,430 |
| New York | $64,000 | +$8,430 |
| Illinois | $58,000 | +$2,430 |
| Texas | $54,000 | $-1,570 |
| Florida | $54,000 | $-1,570 |
Top Paying Cities for Legal Secretarys
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $66,000 | +$10,430 |
| Los Angeles | $62,000 | +$6,430 |
| Chicago | $58,000 | +$2,430 |
| Miami | $57,000 | +$1,430 |
| Houston | $55,000 | $-570 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Legal Secretary Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Legal Secretary from entry level to expert.
$39,500
0-2 years
$55,000
3-7 years
$69,500
8-14 years
$80,100
15+ years
Related Legal Jobs
Legal Secretary Salary FAQ
How much does a Legal Secretary make in 2026?
The median salary for a Legal Secretary in the United States is $55,570 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6012); the mean is $60,620. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $39,500, senior professionals around $69,500, and top earners at $80,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Legal Secretary?
A Legal Secretary typically requires a Associate's Degree with 1-3 years of experience. Key skills include Legal Terminology, Document Formatting, Calendar Management. Relevant certifications such as ALS Certification or NALS Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Legal Secretarys?
The job market for Legal Secretarys is projected to grow by -4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 156K Legal Secretary positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 7%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Legal Secretarys the most?
The highest-paying states for Legal Secretarys include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $64,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Legal Secretary salary?
To increase your Legal Secretary salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Legal Terminology and Document Formatting. Pursue certifications such as ALS Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 1-3 years of experience, you can progress from $39,500 to $69,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Legal Secretary Salary
How we calculate Legal Secretary salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6012), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $55,570, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants; BLS mean $60,620; BLS hourly median $26.72.
- Entry-level ($39,500) and senior-level ($69,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: -4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 156,280 Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 7% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Legal sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $55,570; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Legal Secretary compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Legal Secretary job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Legal
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Legal Secretary salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Legal Terminology, Document Formatting, Calendar Management), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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