Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in New York, NY-NJ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Median annual salary $74,400 +37.4% vs national
Median hourly $35.77
10th percentile $45,940
90th percentile $104,270
Employed locally 14,530
National median $54,140

Compare Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New York, NY-NJ stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
in
New York, NY-NJ
vs

    In New York-NJ, Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants earn a median annual salary of $74,400, which is significantly higher than the national median of $54,140. This regional compensation reflects the high cost of living in the area, where the local household income stands at $97,334. The earnings for these professionals not only surpass the national average but also approach the local median household income, indicating a strong demand for such roles within this metropolitan market.

    Entry-level Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants typically earn around the 10th percentile of $45,940, while more experienced workers can reach the 75th percentile with salaries up to $85,240. Those at the upper end of the spectrum, in the 90th percentile, may earn as much as $104,270 annually. The disparity between entry-level and experienced salaries is driven by factors such as tenure, skill proficiency, educational background, and specialized knowledge within the legal field. This progression highlights the potential for significant salary growth with experience and further development in this occupation.

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,940
    25th
    $57,140
    50th (median)
    $74,400
    75th
    $85,240
    90th
    $104,270

    New York economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $97,334 2023 • Census ACS
    Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary vs area income 76% Median Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary is 24% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants make per hour in New York?

    The median hourly wage for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in New York, NY-NJ is $35.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.82 or more per hour.

    Is New York above or below average for Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salaries?

    The median Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in New York, NY-NJ is 37.4% above 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 New York?

    Entry-level Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $45,940 per year in New York, NY-NJ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,140.