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Job outlook for legal secretaries in the United States
Legal secretary job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected legal secretary job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for legal secretaries are projected over the next decade.
Legal secretary salaries have increased 11% for legal secretaries in the last 5 years.
There are over 317,142 legal secretaries currently employed in the United States.
There are 13,182 active legal secretary job openings in the US.
The average legal secretary salary is $41,725.
Are legal secretary jobs in demand?
Legal secretary job and salary trends over time
Legal secretary jobs over time
Legal secretary job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 317,142 | 0.09% |
| 2020 | 320,527 | 0.10% |
| 2019 | 325,820 | 0.10% |
| 2018 | 323,559 | 0.10% |
| 2017 | 321,705 | 0.10% |
Average legal secretary salary over time
Legal secretary salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,725 | $20.06 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $40,293 | $19.37 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $39,493 | $18.99 | +3.6% |
| 2023 | $38,104 | $18.32 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $37,636 | $18.09 | +2.3% |
Legal secretary jobs by state
Most common states for legal secretaries
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 114 | 16% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 83 | 6% |
| 3 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 330 | 4% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 248 | 4% |
| 5 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 540 | 3% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 155 | 3% |
| 7 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 45 | 3% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 34 | 3% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 28 | 3% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 25 | 3% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 20 | 3% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 603 | 2% |
| 13 | New York | 19,849,399 | 413 | 2% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 232 | 2% |
| 15 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 168 | 2% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 110 | 2% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 89 | 2% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 45 | 2% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 34 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 14 | 2% |
Most common cities for legal secretaries
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral Gables | 2 | 4% | $38,885 |
| 2 | Portland | 2 | 3% | $31,587 |
| 3 | Irvine | 4 | 2% | $51,905 |
| 4 | Brockton | 2 | 2% | $48,391 |
| 5 | West Palm Beach | 2 | 2% | $39,266 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 3 | 1% | $34,807 |
| 7 | Orlando | 3 | 1% | $39,963 |
| 8 | Grand Rapids | 2 | 1% | $40,836 |
| 9 | Albany | 1 | 1% | $40,169 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | 13 | 0% | $52,468 |
| 11 | San Diego | 5 | 0% | $51,259 |
| 12 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $43,722 |
| 13 | New York | 3 | 0% | $46,367 |
| 14 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $57,151 |
| 15 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $61,547 |
| 16 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $47,754 |
| 17 | Columbus | 2 | 0% | $32,983 |
| 18 | Oakland | 2 | 0% | $56,986 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $37,685 |
Legal Secretary job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of legal secretary experts
Ohio University
Daemen College
Daemen College
Indiana University Bloomington
Catholic University of America
University of Baltimore
University of Georgia
University of Maine at Augusta
University of Memphis
Brigham Young University
California State University Long Beach
The University of Oklahoma
Western State College of Law
Troy University
University of Colorado
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
What general advice would you give to a Legal Secretary?
Cathy Davis ACP: The U.S. Department of Labor lists the paralegal profession is a growing profession in the country. Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. A good paralegal should be able to take at least one-fourth of an attorney's workload everyday. This frees up the attorney to do other tasks for the client which is billed at a higher rate than the paralegal. With the attorney and paralegal both doing billable tasks each day, this increases the bottom line for the firm. In Alabama, there is a growing need for paralegals.
What skills will help Legal Secretaries earn the most?
Allison White: I'll put professionalism at the top of the list, and then specialized skills come second regarding salary. The medical secretary used to be the one to earn top dollar. Now that there are Medical Assisting programs and licenses, the student must seek the special skills in terminology and clinical service from that degree to earn top dollar in the medical field. Employers want office skills (filing, customer service, scheduling, etc.) and clinical skills (vitals, patient intake, registration, etc.). Still, I recommend that those who are inexperienced seek skills and licenses in the area of their personal interest (law office, government office, medical office, education, and more). I took courses in legal terminology and legal office procedures while completing my associate's degree. I also pursued a business analyst certification and the MOS certifications early on. Later, I continued my education by earning a bachelor's degree in a dual major (business administration and marketing).
What skills stand out on Legal Secretary resumes?
Allison White: Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.
What soft skills should all Legal Secretaries possess?
Allison White: Employers have told me repeatedly that soft skills are often the most important. They will ask for my reference after I've gotten to know a student and been able to identify their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They want someone to take the initiative yet know when to ask questions. Customer service skills and confidentiality were also voiced by our internship supervisors. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a must. The applicant must be able to write well!!
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Secretaries?
Allison White: In addition to production software skills, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, we often taught database skills using MS Access. Every employer has an employee database and a customer/client database that requires input and sometimes maintenance by office personnel. Keyboarding (65+ wpm), basic bookkeeping/accounting, and filing skills are a must.
Marco Cercone
Adjunct Professor of Litigation, Advanced Litigation and Contract LawDaemen College
Paralegal Studies program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Marco Cercone: Flexibility. Clients, law firms, and their staffs all are changing the way business was done. Remote working, Zoom meetings, knowledge of technology will be paramount.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Secretary?
Marco Cercone: Be aware that no task is beneath you and the more value you can provide to your law firm, the more invaluable you become to the organization. Sometimes you may not be hired immediately as a paralegal but you can work your way toward becoming one by starting off at the law firm in a support role, like filing, reception, secretarial, etc.
Margaret Phillips
Associate Professor, Director of Paralegal StudiesDaemen College
Paralegal Studies program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Margaret Phillips: Given the national and local need for paralegals, I think we will continue to see a high need for well-educated paralegals who can take on a substantial role in a legal office. I expect to see a change in how paralegals work, which mirrors how we as a country have been working for the last year--more hybrid arrangements and working from home.
What Legal Secretary skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Margaret Phillips: I would suggest a graduate gets certified in Microsoft Word as up-to-date and sophisticated computer skills are invaluable. Any additional law office computer skills would be equally invaluable. There are many online technology courses that are excellent.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Secretary?
Margaret Phillips: For graduates beginning their career--I would advise them to strap on their seatbelts and get ready to be a life-long learner. Remember to value principles over personalities, and keep learning everyday through reading, asking questions, and pursuing continuing legal education.
Eric Sader
Lecturer, Kelley School of BusinessIndiana University Bloomington
Department of Business Law & Ethics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Legal Secretaries?
Eric Sader: Current graduates are survivors of collective trauma. Interestingly, however, this trauma for many of our graduates has resulted in increased resiliency, which can be a huge asset to future employers. These students were able to obtain positive academic outcomes despite exposure to challenging circumstances. They are flexible, pragmatic, and optimistic despite circumstances that would have preferred them fail.
They moreover carry with them the story and communal bond from this shared experience that will result in ongoing workplace comradery. But beyond their own skills, the pandemic has altered expectations students have of their employers. There are obvious factors such as remote work that our students will come to expect as an option, but more broadly students have better realized what they value in life and will expect employers to foster family, safety, and time among other accommodations that employers historically have been reluctant to provide.
What type of skills will young Legal Secretaries need?
Eric Sader: The emphasis on high-level interpersonal skills is expected to continue. More than ever, graduates need to expect the unexpected in a turbulent and changing world. Those employees who best have exemplified leadership, active listening, patience, flexibility, and responsibility during recent months are assuredly ones management will look to for future promotions and advancement opportunities. Absolutely, technology is more important than ever, but what is it about personalities that we often see as "tech-savvy"? Sure, it helps to have grown up in the Internet age, but more broadly these personalities are often those who crave learning and new experiences, who are willing and eager to adapt to new modalities. And these traits are not limited to students of any age, with rewards far beyond the keyboard.
What experience really stands out on Legal Secretary resumes?
Eric Sader: Top resumes have altered over time from description-based to action-based to accomplishment-based. In short, don't tell me what you were assigned to do in any given role. That would be the same for anyone who held that position. Instead, tell me what made you shine in that capacity! What impact did you make and how can you explain that impact in a way I can measure it in reading through your resume? Tell me what that accomplishment has to say about you as a person who possesses a skill or attribute that can be put to work in my own organization. Explain in short what were you most proud of from every resume line item you decide to include.
Chad Smith
Director of Legal ProgramsCatholic University of America
Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Chad Smith: I would have to say the biggest trend is clearly working from home or more specifically telecommuting. As we are all well aware much of the country is now turned to working from home and this has led to a significant increase in the use of video conferencing via platforms such as Zoom and the greater use of Cloud Services (Google Drive, One Drive, etc.) to share/access documents. In turn, this is leveraging everyone's computer skills and it is more important than ever to be tech-savvy and even have the ability to troubleshoot your technology issues.
The second biggest trend is an emphasis on communication. As mentioned, we are more digital than ever so it is imperative paralegals have good verbal and written communication skills. These skills need to be multifaceted and adaptable to the need/situation (i.e., email, legal pleading, client letter, Zoom/virtual meetings, etc.)
What skills stand out on Legal Secretary resumes?
Chad Smith: For paralegal's skills that stand out particularly in the current market:
-Experience with technology, online platforms, digital/online research (Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law)
-Telework/telecommuting, e-discovery and cloud computing/services, document creation and formatting
-Communication/writing skills and specifically the ability to understand the law and communicate legal matters effectively for court, layman clients, and attorneys
-The ability to write effective legal documents that are clear, concise, and complete
-Organization, efficiency, time management, and case management
I definitely emphasize the requirement of computer skills, as personally, I would not hire any paralegal who is not very competent and comfortable working digitally. Additionally, case management and the ability to juggle many cases at a time is extremely important. It definitely stands out when a paralegal has experience managing a large caseload and can produce quality legal pleadings in a very efficient manner.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Secretaries to find work opportunities?
Roger Hartley Ph.D.: The work shortage and the need for federal, local, and state government are high all over the nation. The concern now is if budget pressures delay the ability to hire.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Secretary?
Tony Waller: Become known as the person in your office or company that is willing to do and learn. Within reason, do not consider any task "below" your job title. At the same time, set goals for the types of projects you would like to have during the first three years of practice and do what you can to meet those goals.
What Legal Secretary skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tony Waller: Develop client service skills. Any job that allows a student the opportunity to work for and with others, especially if it requires multi-tasking and high attention to detail, is valuable. Enhance networking skills by remaining active in local bar associations.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Legal Secretaries in the next 3-5 years?
Sharon Sawyer: Our Justice Studies paralegal students worked in virtual internships for social justice organizations and law firms. Our students were already very comfortable working online with video conferencing tools when law firms and non-profits moved online. In fact, they found that they had an advantage because of the skills they developed here at UMA in their online courses. If you think about it, most law-related office work involves research, document preparation, email, sending signed documents, and face-to-face meetings. We have found that all of this is easily done with secure signature and document editing software, email accounts, and video conferencing. While personal meetings in an office are desirable, they are not strictly necessary and might be unsafe in the current circumstances.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Secretaries to find work opportunities?
Sharon Sawyer: Students who plan to enter law enforcement and corrections have many opportunities in the state open to them. Many positions in law enforcement and corrections in Maine have gone unfilled, even before the pandemic. Maine is demographically the oldest state, so, many law enforcement professionals are nearing retirement age, and there are few qualified younger candidates to fill the vacancies. If anything, I would surmise that the extra stress put on first responders and corrections staff during the pandemic adds to the challenge of recruitment.
What Legal Secretary skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alena Allen: Writing is critically important to effective lawyering, so any job that provides opportunities to write would be beneficial. Many law journals accept submissions from lawyers. So, even if a graduate can't find a job that allows her to practice writing, there are other opportunities for writing like law journals or bar journals.
Nathan Rockwood Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorBrigham Young University
Department of Philosophy
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Nathan Rockwood Ph.D.: During the pandemic, working remotely has become much more common. One consequence of this is that employees end up writing much more than they would under normal circumstances. Getting across ideas through writing is a skill that philosophy students develop, and this skill is particularly useful in our current circumstances.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Secretaries to find work opportunities?
Nathan Rockwood Ph.D.: Like other college graduates, philosophy students are going to want to get jobs in the knowledge economy (as opposed to service jobs or skilled labor, for example). These jobs have traditionally been in larger urban areas, but over the last decade or so, many of these jobs have moved to midsized urban areas such as the Provo-Orem area. This has only accelerated because of the pandemic.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Amy Cabrera Rasmussen Ph.D.: While we are already seeing cuts to some local and state government operations - with more likely - due to the ongoing economic downturn associated with the pandemic, there is the possibility of some areas of work actually seeing funding gains. For example, governments will likely be hiring to support public health-related efforts such as vaccinations.
Likewise, regardless of larger patterns in the non-profit sector, there are also likely to be opportunities for trusted community organizations to help outreach and communication to local residents - especially in the communities most impacted by the pandemic. We are also seeing greater attention to our public education system and the important role of teachers during the pandemic, so there could be opportunities for political science graduates to put their knowledge to use to help educate the next generation of young people in grades K-12.
What skills stand out on Legal Secretary resumes?
Dr. Amy Cabrera Rasmussen Ph.D.: In the case of political science students, substantive knowledge and skill-based knowledge are inextricably linked. Having both and highlighting this combination can be a way for students to stand out to potential employers. For instance, highlighting their grasp of the governmental system, policymaking processes and content might make them an important contributor to a collaborative team. They might build on their knowledge of the complexity of identity and difference to showcase a nuanced understanding of communities and inequities. They could showcasing their work on projects that demonstrate their ability to analyze data that governments, nonprofits, and businesses need to make informed decisions, apply for funding, or develop outreach and marketing efforts. In my experience, political science students stand out most for their ability to analyze complex circumstances and in their ability to convey this to others in written and verbal communication forms.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Secretaries to find work opportunities?
Dr. Amy Cabrera Rasmussen Ph.D.: I expect that there will be some hiring in locations where government is centered; in particular, with a new presidential administration taking office that has new policy priorities and a need to fill many existing vacancies, there could be opportunities for those wanting to step into civil service roles in Washington, D.C. That said, with the nature of the pandemic increasingly spreading across the nation - in both urban and rural areas - the need for capable individuals who are invested in the public good has never been greater, nor has it ever been so clear that government's impact is geographically dispersed.
Shelly Grunsted
Executive Director - Center for Student Success, Director, First Fidelity Integrated Business Core Program (IBC), Associate ProfessorThe University of Oklahoma
Management & International Business Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Shelly Grunsted: The most significant trends we see include flexibility, communication through emails and zoom conference calls effectively, and adaptability. A lot depends on how the student will be reporting to work, but these three trends tend to be what we hear the most.
What type of skills will young Legal Secretaries need?
Deirdre Kelly: Young graduates will need the same traditional legal skills that they have always needed. Additionally, they will need to be resilient and creative to weather a more challenging and ever-evolving work environment. They will need to be very disciplined and able to work independently if they are working more remotely and have enough technical skills to navigate the virtual world. New graduates will need to think about how they build relationships with their co-workers and develop mentors, as well as develop clients and networks if the future means working remotely more and not as many in-person meetings.
Dr. Jeffrey Rush
Coordinator, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Assistant Professor of Criminal JusticeTroy University
Division of Anthropology, Sociology and Criminology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jeffrey Rush: I think the primary trend will, at least in the short term, be in how we recruit, hire, and onboard new employees. This is particularly true in the private sector. Recruiting will be necessary for public criminal justice. Still, I think, as the post-Floyd stuff starts to wind down and calmer heads prevail, we should be able to resume filling our positions, especially in law enforcement. Also, I think people will be more strategic about where they choose to work. Fallout not only of the pandemic but of the post-Floyd protests and riots. This will make recruiting, where and how, all the more important.
What Legal Secretary skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jeffrey Rush: Communications and relationship building. Any position that allows the student to improve in these areas will help them pursue a criminal justice position.
Mary Ann Cutter Ph.D.
ProfessorUniversity of Colorado
Philosophy Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Mary Ann Cutter Ph.D.: The biggest trends are (1) working remotely and (2) delivering products (including educational ones) online and virtually. (Note how companies are moving to these modes of delivery, despite the consequences to brick-and-mortar stores and institutions.) A third trend is (3) thinking about 1 and 2 in innovative and creative ways. Because of 3, philosophy and its focus on critical thinking skills have great relevance in our lives!
What Legal Secretary skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mary Ann Cutter Ph.D.: -I recommend that students develop information technology skills and ways to deliver products online and virtually. This is the future at work. Students will probably not receive this type of training in their higher education experiences because many higher education educators are behind the curve.
-If (1) is not possible, get outside yourself. Volunteer in an area that you are passionate about and learn something about yourself and the site you care about.
-And, read. Read in areas that interest you. It's amazing what you can learn from others!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Secretary job market given the pandemic?
Emily Allen-Hornblower: No question our economy has been hit hard, and the job market will be very competitive, for students in all courses of study but those who have solid training in the Humanities, along with the strong writing and communication skills that come with it, should do well. Good writers and critical thinkers are essential across the board, and those who have studied history, philosophy, oratory, and literature at its source (that is, the Classics) are well equipped to be competitive in any market.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Secretaries to find work opportunities?
Emily Allen-Hornblower: I would say, think broadly. Your CV gives you an edge - you chose a course of study that is somewhat atypical, original (and a great conversation starter!) that gave you widely applicable skills.
I mean, who studies Classics? Who willingly subjects themselves to the rigors of Latin or Greek - or both? Who commits to navigating the intricacies of an interdisciplinary path that combines some of the most vital areas of inquiry for our time: social and cultural history, political science, philosophy, psychology, literary studies, material culture?
A go-getter. Someone who is passionate. And is Driven.
And you know what? Employers know that. They see that on your CV, and they think, wow - here is someone interesting and hard-working and who thinks out of the box. And they are right. Xerox saw that. Macy's saw that. The Air Force Intelligence Officer who hired one of our (female!) undergraduates as an officer saw that. The software engineer who hired another one of our grads to join his team as a full-time software engineer saw that. Oxford University Press in New York City saw that - and hired another recent grad as a full-time intern in their Higher Education Editorial Development department. SO: Classics majors, think big and broad. There is no restricted path for what is next.
So - Graduating seniors in Classics (and other Liberal Arts degrees), as you prepare to go forward into the world, you have good reason to go forth with pride, and enter the world after college, with all its question marks and inevitable bumps in the road, with confidence.
A Classics major is excellent preparation for the pursuit of a wide range of careers in a large number of fields, including, but not limited to, government, law, education, business, journalism, library science, publishing, foreign service, finance, the entertainment industry, museum, and preservation work, pharmaceutical sciences, music, and the arts, foundations, technology, web design, and labor relations. So think broadly. You've got this.
What Legal Secretary skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emily Allen-Hornblower: No question our economy has been hit hard, and the job market will be very competitive, for students in all courses of study but those who have solid training in the Humanities, along with the strong writing and communication skills that come with it, should do well. Good writers and critical thinkers are essential across the board, and those who have studied history, philosophy, oratory, and literature at its source (that is, the Classics) are well equipped to be competitive in any market.
What general advice would you give to a Legal Secretary?
Emily Allen-Hornblower: "I would say, think broadly. Your CV gives you an edge - you chose a course of study that is somewhat atypical, original (and a great conversation starter!) that gave you widely applicable skills.
I mean, who studies Classics? Who willingly subjects themselves to the rigors of Latin or Greek - or both? Who commits to navigating the intricacies of an interdisciplinary path that combines some of the most vital areas of inquiry for our time: social and cultural history, political science, philosophy, psychology, literary studies, material culture?
A go-getter. Someone who is passionate. And is Driven.
And you know what? Employers know that. They see that on your CV, and they think, wow - here is someone interesting and hard-working and who thinks out of the box. And they are right. Xerox saw that. Macy's saw that. The Air Force Intelligence Officer who hired one of our (female!) undergraduates as an officer saw that. The software engineer who hired another one of our grads to join his team as a full-time software engineer saw that. Oxford University Press in New York City saw that - and hired another recent grad as a full-time intern in their Higher Education Editorial Development department. SO: Classics majors, think big and broad. There is no restricted path for what is next.
So - Graduating seniors in Classics (and other Liberal Arts degrees), as you prepare to go forward into the world, you have good reason to go forth with pride, and enter the world after college, with all its question marks and inevitable bumps in the road, with confidence.
A Classics major is excellent preparation for the pursuit of a wide range of careers in a large number of fields, including, but not limited to, government, law, education, business, journalism, library science, publishing, foreign service, finance, the entertainment industry, museum, and preservation work, pharmaceutical sciences, music, and the arts, foundations, technology, web design, and labor relations. So think broadly. You've got this. "