California ranks 8th of 50 states and D.C. for legal secretaries and administrative assistants pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($101,170) by $39,850 — a 65% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $41,530 to $106,130 — a $64,600 spread, 24% wider than the national $52,130 range.
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.32 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.32× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $41,530 | $19.97 |
| 25th percentile | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| 75th percentile | $82,210 | $39.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,130 | $51.02 |
| Mean (average) | $78,700 | $37.84 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $61,320 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $101,170 | +65% |
| New York | $74,400 | +21% |
| Delaware | $63,740 | +4% |
| Maryland | $63,110 | +3% |
| Rhode Island | $61,970 | +1% |
| Connecticut | $61,440 | +0% |
| Massachusetts | $61,440 | +0% |
| Minnesota | $61,300 | +0% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $61,320 | 53,600 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $61,310 | 63,110 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $61,210 | 36,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $61,170 | 14,090 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $61,620 | 8,830 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $61,650 | 13,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in California?
The mean legal secretaries and administrative assistants salary in California is $78,700 per year. The median (middle) salary is $61,320 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in California?
Entry-level legal secretaries and administrative assistantss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $41,530 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $46,830 per year.
What is the highest Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $106,130 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $82,210 per year.
How does the California Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary compare to the national average?
The median legal secretaries and administrative assistants salary in California is $61,320, which is +13% above national average of $54,140.