Position
Salary

How much does a Legal Assistant make?

The average salary for a Legal Assistant is $51,763 per year in the US.

Legal Assistants play a key role in the legal field. They help lawyers and judges with many tasks. Their work can range from organizing documents to helping with research. The average yearly salary for a Legal Assistant is around $51,763. This means they earn a good amount each year.


The salary for Legal Assistants can vary based on experience and location. Some earn less than $31,200, while others make more than $90,000. Here is a look at the salary distribution:

  • 10% earn less than $31,200
  • 25% earn between $31,200 and $41,891
  • 50% earn between $41,891 and $63,273
  • 75% earn between $63,273 and $79,309
  • 90% earn less than $90,000
This range shows that with more experience, Legal Assistants can earn higher salaries.

View Legal Assistant jobs nearby

What are the highest paying cities for a Legal Assistant?

Legal Assistants in Syracuse, NY, enjoy some of the highest salaries in the country. With an average salary of $109,224, this city offers excellent opportunities for those seeking top pay. Other cities like San Francisco, CA, and Denver, CO, also provide competitive wages for legal professionals.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Legal Assistant jobs, highlighting Syracuse, NY with the highest at $109,224 and Los Angeles, CA with the lowest at $63,055.
  1. Syracuse, NY
    Average Salary: $109,224
    In Syracuse, NY, professionals work in a vibrant legal environment. The city is home to several law firms, including Bond, Schoeneck & King, where assistants support attorneys in various legal matters. The community offers a mix of urban and suburban living, making it a balanced place to work and live.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Syracuse, NY


  2. San Francisco, CA
    Average Salary: $85,678
    San Francisco, CA, offers a dynamic legal landscape. Here, assistants often work with major firms like Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. The city's tech-driven economy means many legal tasks involve intellectual property and tech law. The cost of living is high, but the job market is robust.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in San Francisco, CA


  3. Denver, CO
    Average Salary: $74,610
    Denver, CO, provides a thriving environment for legal professionals. The city is home to firms like Holland & Hart, where assistants handle legal research and document preparation. Denver's outdoor lifestyle and growing tech scene make it an attractive place to live and work.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Denver, CO


  4. Albany, NY
    Average Salary: $68,586
    Albany, NY, offers a stable legal job market. Assistants often work with firms like Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, supporting attorneys in government and corporate law. The city's historic charm and lower cost of living make it a pleasant place to work.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Albany, NY


  5. Boston, MA
    Average Salary: $68,100
    Boston, MA, is a hub for legal professionals. Assistants work with firms like Nixon Peabody, handling a variety of legal tasks. The city's rich history and vibrant academic scene provide a unique backdrop for a career in law.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Boston, MA


  6. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $67,696
    Washington, DC, offers a dynamic legal environment. Assistants often work with firms like Akin Gump, supporting attorneys in government and regulatory law. The city's political climate and high concentration of legal firms make it an exciting place to work.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Washington, DC


  7. Santa Rosa, CA
    Average Salary: $67,623
    Santa Rosa, CA, provides a balanced legal job market. Assistants work with firms like Wright, Ching & Davis, handling legal research and document preparation. The city's wine country charm and lower cost of living make it an attractive place to live and work.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Santa Rosa, CA


  8. Rochester, NY
    Average Salary: $66,969
    Rochester, NY, offers a stable legal environment. Assistants work with firms like Harter, Secrest & Emery, supporting attorneys in various legal matters. The city's rich cultural scene and lower cost of living make it a pleasant place to work.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Rochester, NY


  9. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $64,960
    Seattle, WA, provides a vibrant legal job market. Assistants work with firms like Lane Powell, handling legal research and document preparation. The city's tech-driven economy and outdoor lifestyle make it an exciting place to live and work.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Seattle, WA


  10. Los Angeles, CA
    Average Salary: $63,055
    Los Angeles, CA, offers a dynamic legal environment. Assistants work with firms like Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, supporting attorneys in various legal matters. The city's diverse population and entertainment industry provide a unique backdrop for a career in law.
    Find Legal Assistant jobs in Los Angeles, CA

What are the best companies a Legal Assistant can work for?

DLA Piper offers the highest average salary for Legal Assistants at $105,996. Direct Talent Solutions follows closely with an average salary of $99,722. Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP provides a competitive salary of $94,929 for this role. King & Spalding, Ogletree Deakins, and Foley & Lardner LLP also offer attractive salaries for Legal Assistants. These companies provide a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth. Holland & Hart LLP and other firms on the list offer solid salaries and a supportive work environment.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Legal Assistant jobs, highlighting DLA Piper with the highest at $105,996 and Holland & Hart LLP with the lowest at $78,384.
  1. DLA Piper
    Average Salary: $105,996
    DLA Piper offers rewarding Legal Assistant roles. They operate in major cities worldwide, including New York, London, and Hong Kong. Their Legal Assistants support lawyers in various legal matters, ensuring smooth operations.


  2. Direct Talent Solutions
    Average Salary: $99,722
    Direct Talent Solutions provides competitive salaries for Legal Assistants. They work with clients across the United States, offering diverse opportunities. Their Legal Assistants assist with document preparation, research, and administrative tasks.


  3. Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP
    Average Salary: $94,929
    Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP is known for its high-paying Legal Assistant positions. They operate in the Southeast U.S., including Atlanta and Birmingham. Their Legal Assistants handle case management, client communication, and legal research.


  4. Forum Group
    Average Salary: $92,273
    Forum Group offers attractive salaries for Legal Assistants. They serve clients in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Their Legal Assistants support litigation, compliance, and corporate legal work, ensuring efficiency and accuracy.


  5. King & Spalding
    Average Salary: $87,229
    King & Spalding provides competitive salaries for Legal Assistants. They operate in major cities like Atlanta, New York, and Washington, D.C. Their Legal Assistants assist with document review, legal research, and administrative support.


  6. Ogletree Deakins
    Average Salary: $86,424
    Ogletree Deakins offers rewarding Legal Assistant roles. They serve clients across the U.S., with offices in major cities. Their Legal Assistants support employment law, litigation, and compliance, ensuring smooth legal operations.


  7. Foley & Lardner LLP
    Average Salary: $81,583
    Foley & Lardner LLP provides competitive salaries for Legal Assistants. They operate in major cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Their Legal Assistants assist with litigation, corporate law, and intellectual property matters.


  8. Womble Bond Dickinson
    Average Salary: $79,606
    Womble Bond Dickinson offers attractive salaries for Legal Assistants. They serve clients in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Their Legal Assistants support various legal areas, including corporate law, litigation, and real estate.


  9. Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP
    Average Salary: $79,177
    Munck Wilson Mandala, LLP provides competitive salaries for Legal Assistants. They operate in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Their Legal Assistants assist with litigation, corporate law, and intellectual property.


  10. Holland & Hart LLP
    Average Salary: $78,384
    Holland & Hart LLP offers rewarding Legal Assistant roles. They serve clients in the U.S., with offices in major cities. Their Legal Assistants support litigation, corporate law, and real estate, ensuring efficient legal operations.

How to earn more as a Legal Assistant?

A Legal Assistant can find many ways to increase their earnings. By focusing on certain areas, they can boost their salary and job satisfaction. One key way is to gain more experience and specialize in a particular area of law. This makes them more valuable to employers. Another way is to get additional certifications. These can show employers that they have extra skills.

Expanding your skill set can also lead to higher earnings. Learning new software or improving typing speed can make you more efficient. This can lead to promotions or raises. Networking with other professionals can open up new job opportunities. Attending conferences and joining professional groups can help with this. Finally, seeking out positions in high-demand areas can lead to higher pay. Urban areas or industries with a lot of legal work often offer better salaries.

Here are some factors to consider for earning more as a Legal Assistant:

  1. Gain experience and specialize in a specific area of law.
  2. Get additional certifications to show extra skills.
  3. Expand your skill set with new software or improved typing speed.
  4. Network with other professionals to find new job opportunities.
  5. Seek positions in high-demand areas or industries.

Currently 1,207 Legal Assistant job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Legal Assistant in the US?

Learn what a Legal Assistant does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Legal Assistant today.
Position
Overview
Legal Assistant
1,207 Job Openings