Legal Assistant Salary
A legal assistant can earn around $46,990 annually. Legal assistants work closely with attorneys and prepare court documents, deal with sensitive client information and schedule important meetings. As a legal assistant works with the same attorney over many years they will generally see many increases in their pay and receive bonuses, it depends upon the success of the attorney and the financial health of the law firm.
Best Prospects
Over 267,000 legal assistants are currently employed in the field. The range of salaries is between $29,000 and $76,000. Those who are employed with the Federal Executive Branch are currently earning the highest salaries available in the field. About 90% of salaries can be translated into an hourly wage of $36.26 and an annual wage of $75,410.
Legal assistants in the District of Columbia tend to earn the highest salaries in the country - on average around $68,850 with California taking a close second with salaries of approximately $58,570.00.
2026 Salary Overview
The median annual wage for legal assistants was $46,990 in May 2025. This represents the middle point where half of workers earned more and half earned less. Actual salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, education, and the specific type of legal practice.
Education and Training Requirements
Typical Entry-Level Education: Associate's degree
Work Experience: None required
On-the-job Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Most legal assistants complete an associate degree program in paralegal studies or a related field. Some positions may require completion of a certificate program in legal studies. Many employers also provide specialized training for specific legal software and procedures used in their practice areas.
Job Outlook (2026-2036)
The field of legal assisting is projected to grow by 17% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increased demand for legal services and the cost-effectiveness of using legal assistants to perform routine tasks.
Legal assistants who have strong computer skills and relevant experience are the most likely to get the best paying jobs. The competition for jobs can be quite intense, so it is best to have every advantage possible in order to be the most attractive employment prospect to potential employers.
About 45,400 openings for legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. These openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or retire, as well as new job creation.
Work Environment
Legal assistants work primarily in law offices, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. Most work full time in professional office environments with access to legal databases and specialized software.
The work environment requires attention to detail when handling confidential client information and legal documents. Legal assistants may work standard business hours, though some positions may require overtime during trial preparation or when meeting filing deadlines.
Salary Trends Over Time
The chart below shows how legal assistant salaries have changed over the years, from 2015 to 2026. You can select a specific state to see localized trends or view the national average.
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Salary by State
The following table shows legal assistant salary data by state, including the lowest 10%, median, highest 10%, and average salaries.
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