Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Also called: Legal Secretaries
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.
Also called: Accredited Legal Secretary, Certified Legal Secretary Specialist, Confidential Secretary, Law Firm Administrator, Law Office Assistant, Law Secretary
Median pay
$55,570
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,500 – $91,730
People employed
156,280
Holland code
CES
Conventional · Enterprising · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 5.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 7.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 8.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in every state →
What legal secretaries and administrative assistants do
- 01Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- 02Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- 03Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
- 04Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- 05Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- 06Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Administrative
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from legal secretaries and administrative assistants
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants92% · +13%
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs88% · −2%
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks88% · −12%
- Medical Records Specialists86% · −8%
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping85% · −9%
Change into legal secretaries and administrative assistants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants91% · $62,890
- Correspondence Clerks89% · $46,800
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks87% · $48,700
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs85% · $54,210
- Tax Preparers85% · $54,920
Majors that lead here
- Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.