What Does a Legal Secretary Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a legal secretary do?

Legal secretaries and administrative assistants perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures and documents. The median pay is $55,570 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -5.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$55,570
$26.72/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-5.2%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
18,100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
Several months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
157,600
Employment, 2025

What legal secretaries do

Legal secretaries support lawyers. They prepare and format legal documents, file court papers electronically, manage deadlines and calendars, schedule depositions, organize case files, handle client calls and keep billing records.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; legal secretary courses help. BLS projects a decline as paralegals and software take on more work.

Typical duties

Prepare legal documents
E-file court papers
Manage deadlines
Schedule depositions and hearings
Organize case files
Handle client calls
Track billing

Work environment and schedule

Legal secretaries work in law firms, corporate legal departments and government offices.

Schedule: Full time, with longer hours before trials and filing deadlines.

A day in the life

8:30 AMCheck the court calendar.
9:00 AMFormat a motion.
10:30 AME-file with the court.
12:00 PMSchedule a deposition.

See a full day in the life of a legal secretary →

Legal Secretary salary

Half of legal secretaries earned more than $55,570 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,500 for the lowest 10% to $91,730 for the top 10%.

$36,50010th$55,570Median$91,73090th

Full legal secretary pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a legal secretary

Finish high school
Take legal secretary courses
Build typing and Word skills
Get hired at a firm
Earn ALS or PLS

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; legal secretary certificates help.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a legal secretary →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Legal document formatting
Court e-filing
Docketing
Legal terminology
Billing software

People skills

Accuracy
Discretion
Organization
Composure

All legal secretary skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Professional environment
No degree needed
Good pay for admin work
Path to paralegal

Cons

Declining employment
Deadline pressure
Demanding attorneys
Detail-heavy

Certifications and licenses

ALS: Accredited Legal Professional (NALS).
PLS: Professional Legal Secretary.
Legal secretary certificate: Community college.
Microsoft Office Specialist: Helpful.

Career path

Legal Secretary: Entry.
Senior Legal Secretary: Lead support.
Paralegal: Legal work.
Office Manager: Lead firm.

Learn the job before day one

Our Legal Secretary training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as calendar a court deadline correctly and e-file a document with the court, safety and how to land your first job.

View Legal Secretary training Is this career right for me?

Paralegal

Research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.

$62,890
6 months to 2 years

Lawyer

Advise clients on the law and represent them in disputes and deals.

$159,670
7 years after high school

Administrative Assistant

Keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics.

$47,540
Weeks to months

Executive Assistant

Keep senior leaders organized, prepared and focused on what matters most.

$76,590
2–5 years of administrative experience

Compare: Legal Secretary vs. Paralegal · Legal Secretary vs. Lawyer · Legal Secretary vs. Administrative Assistant · Legal Secretary vs. Executive Assistant

Legal Secretary FAQ

Do legal secretaries need a degree?

No, though certificates help.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline.

Can it lead to paralegal work?

Yes, often.

How much does a legal secretary make?

The median annual wage for legal secretaries was $55,570 ($26.72 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,500 and the highest 10% earned more than $91,730.

How long does it take to become a legal secretary?

Most people need about Several months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; legal secretary certificates help.

Do you need a degree to be a legal secretary?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-6012 (Legal secretaries and administrative assistants).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Legal secretaries and administrative assistants (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Legal Secretary