Career comparison
Legal Secretary vs. Paralegal
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Paralegals earn more at the median ($62,890 vs. $55,570), while legal secretaries usually get to work faster (Several months on the job of training). Legal secretaries keep a law office running by managing documents, filings and calendars. Paralegals research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Legal Secretary | Paralegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $55,570 ($26.72/hr) | $62,890 ($30.24/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,500 – $91,730 | $44,740 – $101,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.2% (a projected decline) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 18,100 | 40,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Associate's degree |
| Training time | Several months on the job | 6 months to 2 years |
| Key credential | ALS | Certified Paralegal (NALA CP) |
| Work setting | Legal secretaries work in law firms, corporate legal departments and government offices.. | Paralegals work in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and nonprofits. |
What each job does
Legal Secretary
- Prepare legal documents
- E-file court papers
- Manage deadlines
- Schedule depositions and hearings
- Organize case files
Paralegal
- Conduct legal and factual research
- Draft pleadings, motions, correspondence and contracts for attorney review
- Organize and manage case files and discovery documents
- Track deadlines and maintain the case calendar
- Prepare exhibits, trial binders and closing documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work and indoor work. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose legal secretary if…
- I’m very organized
- I type fast and accurately
- I keep things confidential
Choose paralegal if…
- I like research and writing
- I’m extremely detail-oriented
- I’m interested in law but don’t want law school (yet)
Still torn? Take the Legal Secretary fit quiz and the Paralegal fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, legal secretary or paralegal?
Paralegals earn more at the median: $62,890 versus $55,570 for legal secretaries, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Legal Secretaries typically train faster (Several months on the job) than paralegals (6 months to 2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects paralegals to grow -0.3% from 2025–35, compared with -5.2% for legal secretaries.