Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
O*NET 43-6012.00 · SOC 43-6012
Legal Secretary is a risky career choice. Median pay is $56k a year with -5.2% projected growth through 2035 (declining) and about 18,100 openings a year. AI exposure: High.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Transcribe legal documents including briefs, motions, and contracts
- →File court documents with clerks by required deadlines
- →Maintain attorney calendars tracking court dates and filing deadlines
- →Organize and index case files for easy attorney retrieval
- →Prepare subpoenas, summonses, and other standard legal forms
Education & How to Get In
Most Legal Secretary positions require an associate degree or vocational training. Many community colleges and technical schools offer relevant programs that can be completed in 1–2 years, often with hands-on clinical or lab experience built in.
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Work Environment
Structured — offices, data centers, or remote
Independent — focused deep work with periodic team check-ins
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Legal Secretary involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Legal Secretary?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering — personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Legal Secretary Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
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Job Outlook
Employment of Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is projected to decline 5.2% from 2025 to 2035, declining for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·57% routine cognitive tasks — high automation target
- ·35% social/interpersonal tasks — hard for AI to replace
- ·Industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory
- ·Declining employment suggests structural disruption
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Legal Secretary make?
The median Legal Secretary earns $56k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Legal Secretary jobs?
Our model puts Legal Secretary at 72 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is high disruption risk. The main drivers: 57% routine cognitive tasks — high automation target; 35% social/interpersonal tasks — hard for AI to replace.
Is Legal Secretary a growing field?
Employment is projected to shrink 5.2% between 2025 and 2035, which is declining. That works out to roughly 18,100 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Legal Secretary?
Most Legal Secretary roles expect an associate degree, apprenticeship or vocational certificate rather than a four-year degree.
How long does it take to become a Legal Secretary?
Typically one to two years, typically an associate degree, apprenticeship or vocational program. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 3 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Legal Secretary career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
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