Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Make?
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn a median annual salary of $54,140 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,530 at the 10th percentile to $87,660 at the 90th percentile — a range of $52,130. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $101,170.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,530 |
| 25th percentile | $42,720 |
| Median (50th) | $54,140 |
| 75th percentile | $72,090 |
| 90th percentile | $87,660 |
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $101,170 |
| New York | $74,400 |
| Delaware | $63,740 |
| Maryland | $63,110 |
| Rhode Island | $61,970 |
| Massachusetts | $61,440 |
| Connecticut | $61,440 |
| California | $61,320 |
| Minnesota | $61,300 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 |
| Washington | $59,680 |
| Alaska | $59,600 |
| Illinois | $58,070 |
| Hawaii | $57,030 |
| Colorado | $56,560 |
| Michigan | $56,030 |
| Oregon | $55,590 |
| Florida | $53,790 |
| North Dakota | $53,460 |
| Nevada | $51,540 |
| Virginia | $51,010 |
| Georgia | $51,000 |
| Maine | $49,950 |
| New Hampshire | $49,880 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,330 |
| Texas | $49,150 |
| Wisconsin | $48,980 |
| Arizona | $47,990 |
| New Mexico | $47,900 |
| Nebraska | $47,770 |
| Missouri | $47,650 |
| Oklahoma | $47,440 |
| Indiana | $47,260 |
| Vermont | $47,050 |
| West Virginia | $46,940 |
| Ohio | $46,710 |
| Alabama | $46,390 |
| Utah | $46,050 |
| South Dakota | $46,020 |
| Tennessee | $44,280 |
| Mississippi | $43,830 |
| North Carolina | $43,830 |
| Montana | $43,230 |
| Wyoming | $42,590 |
| Louisiana | $42,560 |
| Idaho | $41,920 |
| Kansas | $41,640 |
| South Carolina | $39,670 |
| Arkansas | $39,400 |
| Kentucky | $38,330 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,530 – $42,720 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$54,140 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$72,090 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $87,660+ |
How to Earn More as a Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $106,130 — $51,990 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($72,090) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistantthis career | $54,140 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| Lawyer | $151,160 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $60,400 |
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SOC: 43-6012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.