As of 2025, the average salary for a legal secretary in the United States is approximately $62,397, with hourly wages averaging around $21.96.
This reflects a steady increase in wages over the past few years.
Geographic location significantly influences salary levels for legal secretaries.
For example, in higher-cost living areas like San Jose, California, legal secretaries can earn around $72,821 annually, while those in Denver, Colorado, earn an average of about $68,554.
The salary range for entry-level legal secretaries typically starts from about $37,982 and can go up to $92,157 for those at senior levels.
This wide range indicates that experience and skill level are critical factors in determining salary.
The legal secretary profession has seen a rising demand, leading to a projected job growth rate of about 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is on par with the average for all occupations.
Skills such as proficiency in legal terminology, document preparation, and familiarity with legal software significantly enhance earning potential.
Legal secretaries who possess specialized skills may command higher salaries.
Legal secretaries often find employment in various settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies.
The type of employer can influence salary, with corporate positions generally offering higher pay.
The role of a legal secretary is evolving due to advancements in technology.
Automation of routine tasks means that legal secretaries are increasingly taking on more complex responsibilities, which can lead to higher compensation.
The highest salaries for legal secretaries are typically found in metropolitan areas with a high cost of living, such as Washington D.C.
and Seattle.
These locations often offer salaries that exceed the national average by significant margins.
Legal secretaries often benefit from additional perks such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, which can enhance the overall compensation package beyond just base salary.
Certification can play a crucial role in salary advancement.
Legal secretaries with recognized certifications, such as the Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) designation, may have better job prospects and higher starting salaries.
Many legal secretaries work overtime, especially in high-pressure environments like litigation firms, which can lead to increased hourly wages and total annual income.
The job of a legal secretary requires strong interpersonal skills, as they often serve as a liaison between clients, attorneys, and other professionals.
Effective communication can lead to better job performance and potential salary increases.
In 2023, legal secretaries were increasingly expected to have knowledge of digital document management systems, reflecting the legal industry's shift toward paperless operations.
The gender dynamic in the legal secretary profession shows that approximately 95% of legal secretaries are women, which raises important discussions about wage gaps and career advancement opportunities in traditionally female-dominated roles.
The average age of legal secretaries is around 45 years, indicating that the profession is attracting individuals with prior experience in other fields, which may contribute to the higher average salaries.
Legal secretaries often work in teams, supporting multiple attorneys simultaneously, which requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently.
Many legal secretaries pursue ongoing education and training to stay current with changes in laws and regulations, which not only enhances their capabilities but can also lead to salary increases.
The profession is regulated in some states, requiring legal secretaries to complete specific training programs or certifications to practice, which can also influence salary levels.
The rise of remote work has impacted the legal secretary profession, allowing for greater flexibility and potentially altering salary structures as firms adjust to new operational models.
A notable trend in 2025 is the increasing use of artificial intelligence in legal practices, leading to shifts in job responsibilities for legal secretaries, who may need to adapt to new technologies to remain competitive in the job market.