Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $47,430 -12.4% vs national
Median hourly $22.81
10th percentile $38,510
90th percentile $71,910
Employed locally 400
National median $54,140

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Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,510
    25th
    $38,750
    50th (median)
    $47,430
    75th
    $63,900
    90th
    $71,910

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary vs area income 56% Median Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary is 44% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,130
    District of Columbia $101,170
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $88,600
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $81,210
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $77,780
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $75,620

    Nearby metros — Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $101,170
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $88,600
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $63,080
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $62,480
    California $61,320
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $61,090

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Customer Service Representatives$48,240
    Office Clerks, General$44,350
    Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$49,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$67,540
    Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$46,440
    Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$40,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Des Moines, IA is $22.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.57 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salaries?

    The median Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in Des Moines, IA is 12.4% below the national median of $54,140. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $38,510 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,750.