Research Summary. The Zippia data team has conducted extensive research utilizing public government data and job postings to generate accurate salary estimates for legal assistant positions across the United States. This analysis identifies the highest-paying roles in the legal assistant field based on average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of legal assistants in 2026:
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Real Estate Paralegal ranks as the highest-paid legal assistant, with an average salary of $75,000 and an average hourly rate of $36.06.
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The second highest-paying role is the Corporate Paralegal, earning an average salary of $73,500.
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The average salary for legal assistants has increased to $50,000 annually, translating to an hourly wage of $24.04.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the only factor. If you aspire to become a legal assistant, it’s beneficial to know which roles offer the highest compensation to help guide your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various types of legal assistants:
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Real Estate Paralegal
Average Salary: $75,000
A Real Estate Paralegal assists real estate attorneys with tasks such as client consultations, document preparation, and legal research. They engage with landlords, property managers, and other stakeholders in the real estate sector.
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Corporate Paralegal
Average Salary: $73,500
A Corporate Paralegal supports lawyers in gathering pertinent information and documentation for various legal proceedings, working within legal departments of corporations and governmental entities.
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Contractor-Paralegal
Average Salary: $65,000
A Contractor-Paralegal is employed on a temporary basis by law firms or corporate legal teams, often specializing in specific sectors such as entertainment or healthcare.
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Senior Paralegal
Average Salary: $63,000
A Senior Paralegal specializes in areas of law like tax or corporate law, assisting attorneys with research, document preparation, and case management.
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Litigation Paralegal
Average Salary: $60,000
A Litigation Paralegal assists attorneys throughout the litigation process, conducting legal research, preparing for trials, and managing case files. They play a vital role in trial preparation and witness management.
Below is a comprehensive table highlighting the average earnings for various legal assistant roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Legal Assistants
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Estate Paralegal | |
| 2 | Corporate Paralegal | |
| 3 | Contractor-Paralegal | |
| 4 | Senior Paralegal | |
| 5 | Litigation Paralegal | |
| 6 | Law Clerk | |
| 7 | Litigation Assistant | |
| 8 | Executive Legal Assistant | |
| 9 | Paralegal Internship | |
| 10 | Litigation Legal Assistant | |
| 11 | Senior Legal Assistant | |
| 12 | Paralegal | |
| 13 | Legal Extern | |
| 14 | Legal Administrator | |
| 15 | Summer Associate | |
| 16 | Legal Secretary | |
| 17 | Law Internship | |
| 18 | Assistant | |
| 19 | Legal Clerk | |
| 20 | Legal Office Assistant |
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available data from government resources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate salary estimates.
Our data science team also analyzes job postings and corporate resources for the most current salary information for legal assistants.
After collecting the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title being estimated. For further details on our salary estimation methodology, you can refer to our detailed methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions on Highest-Paying Legal Assistant Jobs
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What is the highest-paid legal assistant job?
The highest-paid legal assistant job is a real estate paralegal. Real Estate Paralegals earn an average salary of $75,000, equating to $36.06 per hour.
A Real Estate Paralegal assists real estate attorneys with tasks such as client consultations, document preparation, and legal research. They collaborate with landlords, property managers, and other real estate professionals.
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What is a good salary for a legal assistant?
A good salary for a legal assistant is $50,000 or more. The average legal assistant salary is currently $50,000, so those earning at least this amount are above the average.
However, it’s important to note that the average salary can vary by location, as employers often adjust their pay scales to reflect the cost of living. Research the average salary in your area for your expertise and experience level to assess your compensation accurately.
If you’re just beginning your career as a legal assistant, the average entry-level salary is approximately $35,000, so consider that when evaluating your earnings.
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Do Legal Assistant jobs pay well?
Legal assistant jobs can pay well, especially in certain sectors. While the average salary of $50,000 is higher than the national average, salaries vary widely based on experience, industry, and location.
Many legal assistant positions offer significant earning potential, with the top 10% earning an average of $65,000 per year.
When searching for a legal assistant job, consider your experience level and the industry you are targeting, and don’t hesitate to negotiate your salary based on local averages.
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Where do legal assistants get paid the most?
Legal assistants earn the highest salaries in the District of Columbia. In the District of Columbia, legal assistants have an average annual salary of $70,000 and an average hourly wage of $33.65.
Following D.C., the states with the highest salaries for legal assistants include Colorado, New York, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $60,000, $58,000, and $55,000, respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid legal assistant salaries are:
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Washington, DC – $70,000
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San Francisco, CA – $65,000
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Denver, CO – $60,000
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
