43 Series · SOC 43-6012
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $55,570
- Median / year
- $91,730
- Top 10% earn
- -5.8%
- Growth '23–'33
- 156,280
- US workers
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn a median of $55,570 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $55,570, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $36,500 (10th percentile) to $91,730 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 156,280 US workers. District of Columbia pays the most ($99,280), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn a median of $55,570, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 41% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Office and Administrative Support, it ranks #9 of 54 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 5.8% by 2033.
- $55,570
- Median annual wage
- Top 59%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #9 of 54
- in Office and Administrative Support
- 2.5×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: District of Columbia at $99,280. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (SOC 43-6012) pays a national median of $55,570 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $36,500 at the 10th percentile to $91,730 at the 90th, with a mean of $60,620 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 156,280 Americans work in this occupation across 52 reporting states and 405 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a -5.8% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 19,600 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 1 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. District of Columbia pays the highest state median at $99,280, which is +79% above the national figure. The top metro is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $87,270 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
BLS OEWS May 2025 156,280 jobs Median $55,570/yr
Median Salary
$55,570
per year
Median Hourly
$26.72/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$60,620
average
Employment
156,280
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$55,570 Bottom 41% higher than 41% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 43-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 23 43-series occupations with growth data, Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants sits on the slower-growing side at -5.8% growth and $55,570 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
-5.8%
Declining
Annual Openings
19,600
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → A
Very Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
0.5/100K
Injury Rate
1/100
Danger Index
4.3/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Writing 3.9
Speaking 3.8
Time Management 3.3
Critical Thinking 3.0
Monitoring 3.0
Social Perceptiveness 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Service Orientation 3.0
Knowledge Areas
Administrative 4.5
English Language 4.4
Law and Government 4.2
Customer and Personal Service 3.9
Computers and Electronics 3.9
Administration and Management 3.2
Public Safety and Security 3.1
Communications and Media 2.8
Economics and Accounting 2.7
Education and Training 2.6
Key Tasks
- ▸ Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- ▸ Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- ▸ Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
- ▸ Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- ▸ Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- ▸ Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
- ▸ Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
- ▸ Receive and place telephone calls.
- ▸ Schedule and make appointments.
- ▸ Submit articles and information from searches to attorneys for review and approval for use.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$36,500
25th Percentile
$44,450
Median
$55,570
75th Percentile
$71,970
90th Percentile
$91,730
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 52 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $99,280 | +79% above national |
| 2 | New York | $72,230 | +30% above national |
| 3 | Connecticut | $66,220 | +19% above national |
| 4 | Delaware | $66,130 | +19% above national |
| 5 | Minnesota | $63,180 | +14% above national |
| 6 | New Jersey | $63,080 | +14% above national |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $63,020 | +13% above national |
| 8 | California | $62,860 | +13% above national |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $62,120 | +12% above national |
| 10 | Maryland | $61,440 | +11% above national |
| 11 | Alaska | $61,280 | +10% above national |
| 12 | Oregon | $59,610 | +7% above national |
| 13 | Colorado | $59,490 | +7% above national |
| 14 | Washington | $58,360 | +5% above national |
| 15 | New Mexico | $57,800 | +4% above national |
| 16 | Michigan | $56,870 | +2% above national |
| 17 | Nevada | $56,470 | +2% above national |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $55,410 | same as national |
| 19 | Virginia | $55,320 | same as national |
| 20 | Arizona | $55,120 | 1% below national |
| 21 | North Dakota | $53,540 | 4% below national |
| 22 | Utah | $52,860 | 5% below national |
| 23 | South Carolina | $52,840 | 5% below national |
| 24 | Illinois | $52,790 | 5% below national |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $51,830 | 7% below national |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $51,430 | 7% below national |
| 27 | Ohio | $51,080 | 8% below national |
| 28 | Hawaii | $49,460 | 11% below national |
| 29 | Vermont | $49,090 | 12% below national |
| 30 | Florida | $48,510 | 13% below national |
| 31 | Georgia | $48,460 | 13% below national |
| 32 | Louisiana | $48,050 | 14% below national |
| 33 | Maine | $48,040 | 14% below national |
| 34 | South Dakota | $47,790 | 14% below national |
| 35 | Indiana | $47,740 | 14% below national |
| 36 | West Virginia | $46,960 | 15% below national |
| 37 | Wyoming | $46,960 | 15% below national |
| 38 | Iowa | $46,590 | 16% below national |
| 39 | Guam | $46,430 | 16% below national |
| 40 | Alabama | $45,950 | 17% below national |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $45,950 | 17% below national |
| 42 | Texas | $45,940 | 17% below national |
| 43 | Nebraska | $45,800 | 18% below national |
| 44 | Tennessee | $45,340 | 18% below national |
| 45 | Mississippi | $45,140 | 19% below national |
| 46 | North Carolina | $43,720 | 21% below national |
| 47 | Idaho | $41,880 | 25% below national |
| 48 | Arkansas | $41,410 | 25% below national |
| 49 | Kentucky | $39,300 | 29% below national |
| 50 | Missouri | $38,560 | 31% below national |
| 51 | Kansas | $36,620 | 34% below national |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $31,000 | 44% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 405 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $87,270 | +57% above national |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $79,410 | +43% above national |
| 3 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,780 | +40% above national |
| 4 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $77,220 | +39% above national |
| 5 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $75,950 | +37% above national |
| 6 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,920 | +37% above national |
| 7 | Salinas, CA | $75,150 | +35% above national |
| 8 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $74,790 | +35% above national |
| 9 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $74,360 | +34% above national |
| 10 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $71,670 | +29% above national |
| 11 | Reno, NV | $71,130 | +28% above national |
| 12 | Lexington Park, MD | $70,660 | +27% above national |
| 13 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $69,720 | +25% above national |
| 14 | Carson City, NV | $67,670 | +22% above national |
| 15 | Santa Fe, NM | $67,600 | +22% above national |
| 16 | New Haven, CT | $67,290 | +21% above national |
| 17 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,790 | +18% above national |
| 18 | Vallejo, CA | $64,850 | +17% above national |
| 19 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $64,480 | +16% above national |
| 20 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $63,470 | +14% above national |
| 21 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $62,950 | +13% above national |
| 22 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $62,690 | +13% above national |
| 23 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $62,620 | +13% above national |
| 24 | Duluth, MN-WI | $62,600 | +13% above national |
| 25 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $62,330 | +12% above national |
| 26 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $62,000 | +12% above national |
| 27 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,880 | +11% above national |
| 28 | Bend, OR | $61,820 | +11% above national |
| 29 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,780 | +11% above national |
| 30 | Worcester, MA | $61,730 | +11% above national |
| 31 | Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $61,710 | +11% above national |
| 32 | Ann Arbor, MI | $61,660 | +11% above national |
| 33 | Richmond, VA | $61,600 | +11% above national |
| 34 | Anchorage, AK | $61,280 | +10% above national |
| 35 | Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $61,160 | +10% above national |
| 36 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $61,030 | +10% above national |
| 37 | Albuquerque, NM | $60,860 | +10% above national |
| 38 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $60,730 | +9% above national |
| 39 | Rochester, MN | $60,610 | +9% above national |
| 40 | Columbus, OH | $60,420 | +9% above national |
| 41 | Kingston, NY | $60,280 | +8% above national |
| 42 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $60,230 | +8% above national |
| 43 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,100 | +8% above national |
| 44 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $60,100 | +8% above national |
| 45 | Midland, TX | $60,070 | +8% above national |
| 46 | Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $60,020 | +8% above national |
| 47 | Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $59,990 | +8% above national |
| 48 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $59,970 | +8% above national |
| 49 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $59,830 | +8% above national |
| 50 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $59,810 | +8% above national |
| 51 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $59,800 | +8% above national |
| 52 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,490 | +7% above national |
| 53 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,470 | +7% above national |
| 54 | Savannah, GA | $59,440 | +7% above national |
| 55 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $59,370 | +7% above national |
| 56 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $59,360 | +7% above national |
| 57 | Napa, CA | $59,130 | +6% above national |
| 58 | Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $59,000 | +6% above national |
| 59 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $58,990 | +6% above national |
| 60 | Bismarck, ND | $58,870 | +6% above national |
| 61 | Madison, WI | $58,840 | +6% above national |
| 62 | Columbia, SC | $58,520 | +5% above national |
| 63 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $58,500 | +5% above national |
| 64 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $58,490 | +5% above national |
| 65 | Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $58,300 | +5% above national |
| 66 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $58,290 | +5% above national |
| 67 | Toledo, OH | $58,060 | +4% above national |
| 68 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $57,620 | +4% above national |
| 69 | Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $57,590 | +4% above national |
| 70 | Spartanburg, SC | $57,580 | +4% above national |
| 71 | Minot, ND | $57,250 | +3% above national |
| 72 | Dover, DE | $57,130 | +3% above national |
| 73 | North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $57,000 | +3% above national |
| 74 | Fargo, ND-MN | $56,590 | +2% above national |
| 75 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $56,510 | +2% above national |
| 76 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $56,480 | +2% above national |
| 77 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $56,120 | +1% above national |
| 78 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $55,940 | +1% above national |
| 79 | Fresno, CA | $55,820 | same as national |
| 80 | Syracuse, NY | $55,780 | same as national |
| 81 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $55,750 | same as national |
| 82 | Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $55,750 | same as national |
| 83 | Boulder, CO | $55,590 | same as national |
| 84 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $54,970 | 1% below national |
| 85 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $54,900 | 1% below national |
| 86 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $54,740 | 1% below national |
| 87 | Jackson, MS | $54,240 | 2% below national |
| 88 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $54,190 | 2% below national |
| 89 | Bellingham, WA | $54,130 | 3% below national |
| 90 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $54,100 | 3% below national |
| 91 | West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $54,080 | 3% below national |
| 92 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $53,880 | 3% below national |
| 93 | Medford, OR | $53,260 | 4% below national |
| 94 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $53,040 | 5% below national |
| 95 | Reading, PA | $52,930 | 5% below national |
| 96 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $52,920 | 5% below national |
| 97 | Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $52,830 | 5% below national |
| 98 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $52,710 | 5% below national |
| 99 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $52,670 | 5% below national |
| 100 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $52,580 | 5% below national |
| 101 | Rochester, NY | $52,160 | 6% below national |
| 102 | Colorado Springs, CO | $51,910 | 7% below national |
| 103 | Vineland, NJ | $51,450 | 7% below national |
| 104 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $51,440 | 7% below national |
| 105 | Las Cruces, NM | $51,420 | 7% below national |
| 106 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $51,390 | 8% below national |
| 107 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $51,370 | 8% below national |
| 108 | Baton Rouge, LA | $51,320 | 8% below national |
| 109 | Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $51,100 | 8% below national |
| 110 | Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $51,080 | 8% below national |
| 111 | Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $51,010 | 8% below national |
| 112 | St. Cloud, MN | $50,970 | 8% below national |
| 113 | Flint, MI | $50,850 | 8% below national |
| 114 | Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $50,760 | 9% below national |
| 115 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $50,710 | 9% below national |
| 116 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $50,520 | 9% below national |
| 117 | Salem, OR | $50,510 | 9% below national |
| 118 | Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $50,500 | 9% below national |
| 119 | Appleton, WI | $50,490 | 9% below national |
| 120 | Glens Falls, NY | $50,340 | 9% below national |
| 121 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $50,290 | 10% below national |
| 122 | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $50,260 | 10% below national |
| 123 | Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $50,240 | 10% below national |
| 124 | Yuma, AZ | $50,240 | 10% below national |
| 125 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $50,100 | 10% below national |
| 126 | Redding, CA | $50,020 | 10% below national |
| 127 | York-Hanover, PA | $50,010 | 10% below national |
| 128 | Greeley, CO | $49,920 | 10% below national |
| 129 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $49,920 | 10% below national |
| 130 | Maryland nonmetropolitan area | $49,920 | 10% below national |
| 131 | Amarillo, TX | $49,850 | 10% below national |
| 132 | Green Bay, WI | $49,840 | 10% below national |
| 133 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $49,830 | 10% below national |
| 134 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $49,750 | 10% below national |
| 135 | Tulsa, OK | $49,660 | 11% below national |
| 136 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $49,620 | 11% below national |
| 137 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $49,620 | 11% below national |
| 138 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $49,560 | 11% below national |
| 139 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $49,490 | 11% below national |
| 140 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,490 | 11% below national |
| 141 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $49,390 | 11% below national |
| 142 | Traverse City, MI | $49,370 | 11% below national |
| 143 | Jacksonville, FL | $49,350 | 11% below national |
| 144 | Farmington, NM | $49,340 | 11% below national |
| 145 | Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $49,330 | 11% below national |
| 146 | Springfield, IL | $49,290 | 11% below national |
| 147 | Binghamton, NY | $49,280 | 11% below national |
| 148 | Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $49,220 | 11% below national |
| 149 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $49,200 | 11% below national |
| 150 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $49,200 | 11% below national |
| 151 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $49,190 | 11% below national |
| 152 | Yakima, WA | $49,160 | 12% below national |
| 153 | Charleston, WV | $49,130 | 12% below national |
| 154 | Akron, OH | $49,080 | 12% below national |
| 155 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $49,070 | 12% below national |
| 156 | Billings, MT | $49,020 | 12% below national |
| 157 | Montgomery, AL | $49,000 | 12% below national |
| 158 | State College, PA | $48,930 | 12% below national |
| 159 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $48,910 | 12% below national |
| 160 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $48,900 | 12% below national |
| 161 | Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $48,900 | 12% below national |
| 162 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $48,790 | 12% below national |
| 163 | Omaha, NE-IA | $48,760 | 12% below national |
| 164 | Birmingham, AL | $48,730 | 12% below national |
| 165 | Bangor, ME | $48,670 | 12% below national |
| 166 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $48,510 | 13% below national |
| 167 | Tallahassee, FL | $48,490 | 13% below national |
| 168 | North Florida nonmetropolitan area | $48,470 | 13% below national |
| 169 | Helena, MT | $48,460 | 13% below national |
| 170 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $48,430 | 13% below national |
| 171 | Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $48,390 | 13% below national |
| 172 | Bloomington, IL | $48,370 | 13% below national |
| 173 | Huntsville, AL | $48,340 | 13% below national |
| 174 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $48,330 | 13% below national |
| 175 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $48,290 | 13% below national |
| 176 | Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $48,290 | 13% below national |
| 177 | Rapid City, SD | $48,250 | 13% below national |
| 178 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $48,240 | 13% below national |
| 179 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $48,240 | 13% below national |
| 180 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $48,200 | 13% below national |
| 181 | Lincoln, NE | $48,140 | 13% below national |
| 182 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $48,000 | 14% below national |
| 183 | Chambersburg, PA | $47,990 | 14% below national |
| 184 | El Paso, TX | $47,970 | 14% below national |
| 185 | Waco, TX | $47,930 | 14% below national |
| 186 | Gainesville, FL | $47,920 | 14% below national |
| 187 | Knoxville, TN | $47,860 | 14% below national |
| 188 | Longview, TX | $47,860 | 14% below national |
| 189 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $47,790 | 14% below national |
| 190 | Visalia, CA | $47,750 | 14% below national |
| 191 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $47,690 | 14% below national |
| 192 | Wausau, WI | $47,660 | 14% below national |
| 193 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $47,660 | 14% below national |
| 194 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $47,630 | 14% below national |
| 195 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $47,620 | 14% below national |
| 196 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $47,610 | 14% below national |
| 197 | East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $47,590 | 14% below national |
| 198 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $47,530 | 14% below national |
| 199 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $47,510 | 15% below national |
| 200 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,500 | 15% below national |
| 201 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $47,490 | 15% below national |
| 202 | North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $47,480 | 15% below national |
| 203 | Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $47,460 | 15% below national |
| 204 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $47,430 | 15% below national |
| 205 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $47,410 | 15% below national |
| 206 | Tucson, AZ | $47,380 | 15% below national |
| 207 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,340 | 15% below national |
| 208 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $47,310 | 15% below national |
| 209 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $47,300 | 15% below national |
| 210 | Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $47,250 | 15% below national |
| 211 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,230 | 15% below national |
| 212 | Pittsburgh, PA | $47,180 | 15% below national |
| 213 | Lafayette, LA | $47,160 | 15% below national |
| 214 | East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $47,040 | 15% below national |
| 215 | Oklahoma City, OK | $46,990 | 15% below national |
| 216 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $46,960 | 15% below national |
| 217 | Peoria, IL | $46,940 | 16% below national |
| 218 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $46,910 | 16% below national |
| 219 | Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $46,770 | 16% below national |
| 220 | Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $46,770 | 16% below national |
| 221 | Niles, MI | $46,760 | 16% below national |
| 222 | Rockford, IL | $46,730 | 16% below national |
| 223 | Ogden, UT | $46,720 | 16% below national |
| 224 | Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $46,720 | 16% below national |
| 225 | Lebanon, PA | $46,710 | 16% below national |
| 226 | Tyler, TX | $46,650 | 16% below national |
| 227 | Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $46,650 | 16% below national |
| 228 | Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $46,610 | 16% below national |
| 229 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $46,590 | 16% below national |
| 230 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $46,590 | 16% below national |
| 231 | Utica-Rome, NY | $46,550 | 16% below national |
| 232 | Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $46,540 | 16% below national |
| 233 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $46,510 | 16% below national |
| 234 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $46,510 | 16% below national |
| 235 | Hammond, LA | $46,480 | 16% below national |
| 236 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $46,460 | 16% below national |
| 237 | Lubbock, TX | $46,450 | 16% below national |
| 238 | Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $46,420 | 16% below national |
| 239 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $46,400 | 17% below national |
| 240 | Abilene, TX | $46,370 | 17% below national |
| 241 | Springfield, MA | $46,350 | 17% below national |
| 242 | Terre Haute, IN | $46,330 | 17% below national |
| 243 | San Angelo, TX | $46,260 | 17% below national |
| 244 | Lancaster, PA | $46,250 | 17% below national |
| 245 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,240 | 17% below national |
| 246 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $46,190 | 17% below national |
| 247 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $46,150 | 17% below national |
| 248 | Iowa City, IA | $46,140 | 17% below national |
| 249 | Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $46,140 | 17% below national |
| 250 | Florence, SC | $46,120 | 17% below national |
| 251 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $46,080 | 17% below national |
| 252 | Winston-Salem, NC | $45,960 | 17% below national |
| 253 | Roanoke, VA | $45,950 | 17% below national |
| 254 | Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $45,920 | 17% below national |
| 255 | Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $45,920 | 17% below national |
| 256 | Mobile, AL | $45,910 | 17% below national |
| 257 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $45,890 | 17% below national |
| 258 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $45,870 | 17% below national |
| 259 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $45,870 | 17% below national |
| 260 | Kokomo, IN | $45,860 | 17% below national |
| 261 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $45,830 | 18% below national |
| 262 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $45,830 | 18% below national |
| 263 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $45,830 | 18% below national |
| 264 | Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $45,820 | 18% below national |
| 265 | Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $45,800 | 18% below national |
| 266 | Saginaw, MI | $45,770 | 18% below national |
| 267 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $45,730 | 18% below national |
| 268 | Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $45,710 | 18% below national |
| 269 | Jackson, TN | $45,610 | 18% below national |
| 270 | West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $45,610 | 18% below national |
| 271 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $45,570 | 18% below national |
| 272 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $45,430 | 18% below national |
| 273 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $45,410 | 18% below national |
| 274 | Lake Charles, LA | $45,400 | 18% below national |
| 275 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $45,380 | 18% below national |
| 276 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $45,370 | 18% below national |
| 277 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $45,310 | 18% below national |
| 278 | Odessa, TX | $45,150 | 19% below national |
| 279 | Charlottesville, VA | $45,120 | 19% below national |
| 280 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $45,100 | 19% below national |
| 281 | Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $45,070 | 19% below national |
| 282 | Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $45,020 | 19% below national |
| 283 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,990 | 19% below national |
| 284 | Ocala, FL | $44,980 | 19% below national |
| 285 | Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $44,980 | 19% below national |
| 286 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $44,970 | 19% below national |
| 287 | Jefferson City, MO | $44,870 | 19% below national |
| 288 | Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $44,870 | 19% below national |
| 289 | Lawrence, KS | $44,770 | 19% below national |
| 290 | Laredo, TX | $44,740 | 19% below national |
| 291 | Fort Wayne, IN | $44,730 | 20% below national |
| 292 | Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $44,700 | 20% below national |
| 293 | Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $44,620 | 20% below national |
| 294 | Wichita, KS | $44,580 | 20% below national |
| 295 | Topeka, KS | $44,390 | 20% below national |
| 296 | Albany, GA | $44,380 | 20% below national |
| 297 | Macon-Bibb County, GA | $44,360 | 20% below national |
| 298 | Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $44,280 | 20% below national |
| 299 | West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $44,270 | 20% below national |
| 300 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $44,200 | 20% below national |
| 301 | Evansville, IN | $44,180 | 20% below national |
| 302 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $44,150 | 21% below national |
| 303 | Asheville, NC | $44,130 | 21% below national |
| 304 | Bloomington, IN | $44,090 | 21% below national |
| 305 | Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $44,030 | 21% below national |
| 306 | Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $44,030 | 21% below national |
| 307 | North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $43,940 | 21% below national |
| 308 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $43,920 | 21% below national |
| 309 | East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $43,850 | 21% below national |
| 310 | Winchester, VA-WV | $43,800 | 21% below national |
| 311 | Boise City, ID | $43,470 | 22% below national |
| 312 | Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $43,420 | 22% below national |
| 313 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $43,420 | 22% below national |
| 314 | Johnson City, TN | $43,390 | 22% below national |
| 315 | Corpus Christi, TX | $42,890 | 23% below national |
| 316 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $42,880 | 23% below national |
| 317 | Valdosta, GA | $42,840 | 23% below national |
| 318 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $42,690 | 23% below national |
| 319 | West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $42,690 | 23% below national |
| 320 | Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $42,460 | 24% below national |
| 321 | Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $42,340 | 24% below national |
| 322 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $42,320 | 24% below national |
| 323 | Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $42,220 | 24% below national |
| 324 | Lynchburg, VA | $42,090 | 24% below national |
| 325 | Idaho Falls, ID | $42,030 | 24% below national |
| 326 | Wichita Falls, TX | $41,990 | 24% below national |
| 327 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $41,920 | 25% below national |
| 328 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $41,840 | 25% below national |
| 329 | Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $41,600 | 25% below national |
| 330 | South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $41,600 | 25% below national |
| 331 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $41,550 | 25% below national |
| 332 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | $41,260 | 26% below national |
| 333 | Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $41,210 | 26% below national |
| 334 | Gainesville, GA | $40,410 | 27% below national |
| 335 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $40,260 | 28% below national |
| 336 | Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $40,230 | 28% below national |
| 337 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $39,990 | 28% below national |
| 338 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $39,880 | 28% below national |
| 339 | Erie, PA | $39,840 | 28% below national |
| 340 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $39,730 | 29% below national |
| 341 | Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $39,590 | 29% below national |
| 342 | Manhattan, KS | $39,450 | 29% below national |
| 343 | East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $39,430 | 29% below national |
| 344 | Enid, OK | $39,330 | 29% below national |
| 345 | Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $39,210 | 29% below national |
| 346 | Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $39,040 | 30% below national |
| 347 | Cleveland, TN | $39,010 | 30% below national |
| 348 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $38,910 | 30% below national |
| 349 | Paducah, KY-IL | $38,910 | 30% below national |
| 350 | Missoula, MT | $38,560 | 31% below national |
| 351 | Decatur, AL | $38,440 | 31% below national |
| 352 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,360 | 31% below national |
| 353 | Eagle Pass, TX | $38,320 | 31% below national |
| 354 | Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $38,270 | 31% below national |
| 355 | Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $38,190 | 31% below national |
| 356 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $38,150 | 31% below national |
| 357 | Harrisonburg, VA | $38,120 | 31% below national |
| 358 | Columbus, GA-AL | $37,990 | 32% below national |
| 359 | Springfield, MO | $37,900 | 32% below national |
| 360 | Burlington, NC | $37,800 | 32% below national |
| 361 | Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $37,780 | 32% below national |
| 362 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $37,700 | 32% below national |
| 363 | Grand Island, NE | $37,700 | 32% below national |
| 364 | Alexandria, LA | $37,670 | 32% below national |
| 365 | Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $37,620 | 32% below national |
| 366 | Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $37,560 | 32% below national |
| 367 | South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $37,440 | 33% below national |
| 368 | Columbia, MO | $37,420 | 33% below national |
| 369 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $37,380 | 33% below national |
| 370 | Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $37,370 | 33% below national |
| 371 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $37,330 | 33% below national |
| 372 | Monroe, LA | $37,280 | 33% below national |
| 373 | North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $37,280 | 33% below national |
| 374 | Great Falls, MT | $37,040 | 33% below national |
| 375 | Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $36,950 | 34% below national |
| 376 | Owensboro, KY | $36,870 | 34% below national |
| 377 | Bowling Green, KY | $36,860 | 34% below national |
| 378 | Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $36,810 | 34% below national |
| 379 | East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $36,780 | 34% below national |
| 380 | Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $36,550 | 34% below national |
| 381 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $36,500 | 34% below national |
| 382 | Fayetteville, NC | $36,360 | 35% below national |
| 383 | Dothan, AL | $36,310 | 35% below national |
| 384 | Elizabethtown, KY | $36,230 | 35% below national |
| 385 | Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $36,190 | 35% below national |
| 386 | Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $36,170 | 35% below national |
| 387 | East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $36,040 | 35% below national |
| 388 | Jacksonville, NC | $36,030 | 35% below national |
| 389 | North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $35,930 | 35% below national |
| 390 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $35,660 | 36% below national |
| 391 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $35,560 | 36% below national |
| 392 | Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $35,360 | 36% below national |
| 393 | South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $35,350 | 36% below national |
| 394 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $35,230 | 37% below national |
| 395 | Joplin, MO-KS | $35,130 | 37% below national |
| 396 | Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $35,110 | 37% below national |
| 397 | North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $34,830 | 37% below national |
| 398 | Greenville, NC | $34,580 | 38% below national |
| 399 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $34,320 | 38% below national |
| 400 | Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $33,420 | 40% below national |
| 401 | Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $30,760 | 45% below national |
| 402 | Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $29,990 | 46% below national |
| 403 | Ponce, PR | $26,000 | 53% below national |
| 404 | Arecibo, PR | $21,840 | 61% below national |
| 405 | Mayaguez, PR | $21,840 | 61% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 43 (office and administrative support) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make? ▼
The median annual salary for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is $55,570 ($26.72/hour). The salary range spans from $36,500 at the 10th percentile to $91,730 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants the most? ▼
District of Columbia pays the highest median salary for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants at $99,280/year, which is +79% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants? ▼
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 1 per 100 workers.
Is Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants a good career? ▼
Employment for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is projected to decline 5.8% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 19,600 openings are projected each year.
How does Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay vary by state? ▼
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $99,280/year, while Arkansas pays the least at $41,410/year. BLS data covers 52 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $87,270/year. BLS reports wage data for 405 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.
What to do with this data
How to use Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $71,970/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: District of Columbia leads at $99,280/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.