Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

SOC code 43-6012 · O*NET-SOC 43-6012.00 · Medium preparation needed · Office and administration

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$55,570

a year

Hourly

$26.72

per hour

10th$36,500Median$55,57090th$91,730

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$60,620

$29.14 per hour

Middle 50%

$44,450 – $71,970

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$36,500 – $91,730

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

156,280

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $36,500; $17.55/hr
25th percentile: $44,450; $21.37/hr
Median percentile: $55,570; $26.72/hr
75th percentile: $71,970; $34.60/hr
90th percentile: $91,730; $44.10/hr

What do legal secretaries and administrative assistants do?

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

The tasks that matter most day to day

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.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

See all zone 3 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree48%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)17%
Post-Secondary Certificate14%
Some College Courses13%

Common questions

How much does a legal secretaries and administrative assistants earn?

The national median is $55,570 a year. The full range runs from $36,500 at the 10th percentile to $91,730 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a legal secretaries and administrative assistants without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Writing3.9/5
Speaking3.8/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Administrative4.5/5
English Language4.4/5
Law and Government4.2/5
Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
Computers and Electronics3.9/5
Administration and Management3.2/5
Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Communications and Media2.8/5

Transferable strengths: Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation.