Legal Secretaries vs Lawyers salary

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Legal Secretaries earn an average of $52,540 per year, while Lawyers earn an average of $148,030 per year. Therefore, the salary for Lawyers is much higher than that of Legal Secretaries.

Keep in mind, however, that factors such as location, experience, and the specific workplace can affect salary. For instance, Legal Secretaries in Washington DC may have higher earnings (averaging $83,610 per year) compared to those in Mississippi ($34,450). As another example, the average wage of Lawyers in Washington DC is 115% higher than those in Wyoming.

Legal Secretaries vs Lawyers overview

Legal Secretaries and Lawyers are two important occupations in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry. There is a common interest in understanding the differences between these job titles, as well as the average pay for each.

Legal Secretary job description

Alternative names: Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Legal Secretaries perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

Legal Secretary education and experience

Among Legal Secretaries, about a third have obtained a College Course Certificate, 23% hold a Bachelor's Degree, and 19% have an Associate's Degree. In terms of experience, about a third of Legal Secretary occupations require a 2 to 4 years of previous experience working in the field. A smaller number of roles (21%) require a previous experience of 3 to 6 months.

Legal Secretary average salary

As reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the number of Legal Secretaries employed in the United States was 155,250, and they earned an average of $52,540 per year. The bottom 10 percent had a salary of $29,770 or less, and the top 10 percent had a salary of $77,850 or more. The average salary has decreased by 0.4% in comparison to the previous year.

Do Legal Secretaries make good money?

Legal Secretaries salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is 10% below the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make 42% less than the mean earnings of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).

Legal Secretaries salaries are generally not as competitive as those of other professions, since their mean salary is 10% below the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Legal Secretaries job growth

The number of Legal Secretaries being employed has decreased over the past two years. In 2021, there have been 5,700 less job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows a decline of 3.5%. The average job growth rate for the past 3 years has been -4.3%.

Lawyer job description

Alternative names: Attorneys

Lawyers represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Lawyer education and experience

Most Lawyers (68%) have a First Professional Degree. But this field also includes some employees who have a Doctoral Degree (31%). Regarding experience, over half Lawyer occupations require a 2 to 4 years of previous experience working in the field. A smaller portion of roles (15%) require no previous experience.

Lawyer average salary

According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Lawyers employed by the United States in 2021 was 681,010, and their average annual wage was $148,030. The bottom 10 percent had earnings of $61,400 or less, and the top 10 percent had earnings of $208,000 or more. The average salary has a decrease of 0.6% in comparison to the previous year.

Do Lawyers make good money?

Lawyers are typically paid well, since their mean salary is 154% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260). Moreover, they make 62% more than the mean salary of the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry ($91,150).

Lawyers are typically paid well, since their mean salary is 154% above the average pay in the United States ($58,260).

Lawyers job growth

There has been a growth in the number of Lawyers being hired over the last two years. In 2021, there have been 22,890 more job opportunities than the previous year across the nation, and that shows an increase of 3.5%. The average job growth rate for the past 3 years has been 2%.

FAQ

Do Legal Secretaries or Lawyers make more?

Lawyers make almost two times more than Legal Secretaries. The average annual pay for Legal Secretaries is $52,540, while Lawyers earn $148,030 per year.