California Median
$62,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $55,570
State Rank
#8 of 50
27,470 employed here
How much do Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make in California?
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in California take home a median of $62,860 annually — roughly $30.22 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $55,570.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $40,710 while the top 10% make $106,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,040 and $80,650 a year.
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,710 | $19.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,040 | $24.06 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,860 | $30.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,650 | $38.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,580 | $51.24 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 50 states and territories for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in other states
District of Columbia $99,280New York $72,230Connecticut $66,220Delaware $66,130Minnesota $63,180New Jersey $63,080Rhode Island $63,020Massachusetts $62,120Maryland $61,440Alaska $61,280Oregon $59,610Colorado $59,490Washington $58,360New Mexico $57,800Michigan $56,870Nevada $56,470Wisconsin $55,410Virginia $55,320Arizona $55,120North Dakota $53,540Utah $52,860South Carolina $52,840Illinois $52,790New Hampshire $51,830Pennsylvania $51,430Ohio $51,080Hawaii $49,460Vermont $49,090Florida $48,510Georgia $48,460Louisiana $48,050Maine $48,040South Dakota $47,790Indiana $47,740West Virginia $46,960Wyoming $46,960Iowa $46,590Alabama $45,950Oklahoma $45,950Texas $45,940Nebraska $45,800Tennessee $45,340Mississippi $45,140North Carolina $43,720Idaho $41,880Arkansas $41,410Kentucky $39,300Missouri $38,560Kansas $36,620
Working as Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in California
Nationally, about 156,000 people work as Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($62,860) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make in California?
The median Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in California is $62,860 per year, or about $30.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,710 at the entry level to $106,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants about 13% more than the national median of $55,570. California ranks 8th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,860 a year. About 27,470 Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.