Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in U.S.
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in U.S. make a median of $54,140 a year, or about $26.03 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $54K get you in U.S.?
About legal secretaries and administrative assistants
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level legal secretaries and administrative assistants (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K.Top earners bring in $88K or more - a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101K | +87% | 2,040 |
| New York | $74K | +37% | 15,430 |
| Delaware | $64K | +18% | 970 |
| Maryland | $63K | +17% | 1,410 |
| Rhode Island | $62K | +14% | N/A |
| Connecticut | $61K | +13% | 1,140 |
| Massachusetts | $61K | +13% | 3,880 |
| California | $61K | +13% | 23,960 |
| Minnesota | $61K | +13% | 2,500 |
| New Jersey | $60K | +12% | 3,910 |
| Washington | $60K | +10% | 4,090 |
| Alaska | $60K | +10% | 560 |
| Illinois | $58K | +7% | 8,860 |
| Hawaii | $57K | +5% | 520 |
| Michigan | $56K | +3% | 3,070 |
Track legal secretaries and administrative assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do legal secretaries and administrative assistants make in U.S.?
The median is $54,140 a year - that works out to about $26.03 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,530, and experienced legal secretaries and administrative assistants can clear $87,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,795/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 37.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a legal secretaries and administrative assistants salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median legal secretaries and administrative assistants salary is worth about $54,140 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do legal secretaries and administrative assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.