The salary of a Legal Assistant I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Legal Assistant I in the United States is $55,579. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $43,285 to a high of $67,315, with most professionals earning between $49,144 and $61,722.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $61,722 | $5,144 | $1,187 | $30 |
| Average | $55,579 | $4,632 | $1,069 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,144 | $4,095 | $945 | $24 |
An entry-level Legal Assistant I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $55,099. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $56,221. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $57,138. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $57,413, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $57,596.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Legal Assistant I | $55,099 |
| Intermediate Level Legal Assistant I | $56,221 |
| Senior Level Legal Assistant I | $57,138 |
| Specialist Level Legal Assistant I | $57,413 |
| Expert Level Legal Assistant I | $57,596 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Legal Assistant I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $50,871 in 2023 to approximately $50,819 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Legal Assistant I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Legal Assistant I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Legal Assistant I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Legal Assistant I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $55,579 | 68.2% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,252 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,334 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,112 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 10.3% | ||
| Pension | $3,001 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $6,840 | 8.4% | ||
| Total Compensation | $81,471 | 100% | ||
The average annual salary of Legal Assistant I is $55,579. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Legal Assistant I is $27; the average weekly pay of Legal Assistant I is $1,069; the average monthly pay of Legal Assistant I is $4,632.
A Legal Assistant I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Legal Assistant I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Legal Assistant I is $70,102.
The highest pay for Legal Assistant I is $67,315.
The lowest pay for Legal Assistant I is $43,285.
Performs administrative and paralegal duties for attorneys or legal firms. Utilizes a variety of sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, and legal codes to research and analyze legal topics. Drafts and edits legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, motions, and contracts. Conducts fact-finding, data collection, and analysis used to prepare statements and arguments. Manages, organizes, and archives documents with software tools and technology. Assists with scheduling and client correspondence. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically requires Paralegal Certification. Typically reports to an attorney. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
