Legal Secretaries in New York: Current Average Salary
The New York area generally pays legal secretaries the highest salaries in the country. That, of course, is partly due to the general cost of living, but also due to the size and demand within the New York legal market.
Currently, the average salary of a legal secretary in the greater New York area is $80,128. A lawyer at a large firm in New York can expect to pay its legal secretaries between $55,000 and $105,000. At the other end of the market , a secular legal secretary in a local market (which tend to pay less) can expect to earn between $41,000 and $49,000. In Manhattan, average legal secretary salaries are about 18% higher than the national average, while in Queens they are only about 2% higher than the national average.
The salary numbers above are only averages, and as noted, there are many factors that go into determining a legal secretary’s salary, including:
Key Drivers of the Legal Secretary Pay Scale
Salary rates for legal secretaries in New York can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including education levels. While many secretarial positions require only a high school diploma, employers may expect post-secondary education and experience in the field, with a bachelor’s degree being the preferred option for many large law firms. Firm size is another important factor in salary ranges. The largest size law firms in New York, particularly those that service large U.S. corporations, pay the highest salaries to their clerical staff. On the other hand, small firms and those that focus on public service or nonprofit law often offer legal secretaries lower wages that are not competitive with more affluent areas of the legal industry. Area of specialization is also a potential indicator of salary levels. For example, legal secretaries with expertise in areas like litigation law, intellectual property law, or medical malpractice receive the highest salaries.
Experience Level Sets Legal Secretary Salaries
The salary of a legal secretary in New York varies considerably with experience. At the entry-level, the compensation for such positions is below the median salary of $65,000. However, as individuals gain experience, the demand increases, creating a positive correlation between pay and experience – the median for such in-house examples is $80,000-$95,000. Senior legal secretaries, who staff the offices of senior attorneys and may also serve as office managers, can expect to earn $100,000 or more. Legal secretaries are typically paid hourly and most earn an annual income between $70,000 and $90,000.
Impact of Firm Size on Legal Secretary Salaries
Law firm size plays a significant role in determining the salaries for legal secretaries in New York. Different organizational structures have a direct impact on not only the level of support required but also on the compensation offered to these critical firm personnel. So, whether you’re a small firm looking to hire a legal secretary, a mid-sized firm looking for a specialist, or a large legal entity hiring for either an administrative or specialist slot, having a deeper understanding of how the size of your firm affects salary compensation will better prepare you for the ”battle” ahead. The following looks at how this level of influence occurs.
Small Law Firms
Small firms tend to offer compensation that is lower than the national average across all industries. This stems from the fact that these firms are much smaller as compared to their mid-sized or larger counterparts. Such firms typically "pay by the hour", meaning they charge clients for every hour worked. In order to be more cost effective and not absorb dead time, these firms often have a high number of secretaries and will limit overtime. As such, these firms may be able to offer compensation that is significantly more than the average however, they tend to limit overtime hours and the need to have a diverse skill set.
Mid-Sized Law Firms
Mid-sized firms tend to have incrementally higher salaries compared to small law firms. This is due to the increased level of organization coupled with an increase in the available resources and structured support. These firms usually look for individuals with a specific skill set; such as a stenographer, transcriber and/or typist. Given the multitude of duties that a mid-sized law firm requires, they tend to hire both administrative and specialist positions. Typically, firms of this size want legal secretaries who can offer assistance to a variety of departments versus specializing in one.
Larger Law Firms
Large firms typically have a greater number of employees, irrespective of department. However, in New York, these firms also tend to pay lower salaries than their smaller competitors. This is due to the significant amount of work that they receive each year from high-level corporate clients. As with mid-sized firms, large firms will often hire legal secretaries within departments, meaning that if an individual is brought on as a legal secretary in one department, it is highly unlikely that they will be moved to another department unless the company feels that this is in the best interests of their client(s). As you can see, each law firm size offers unique hiring options and expectations.
Salary Variation Across Geographic Areas in New York
While it is clear that salaries for legal secretaries in New York are higher than the national average, the cost of living is also comparatively high. An important factor for law firms and other employers to consider is where in the state of New York they are based and practicing. On Long Island and in New York City, the cost of living and wages for legal secretaries may be significantly higher than those in other parts of the state. For example, for a legal secretary position requiring 6 – 10 years of experience, the reported median annual salary in Suffolk County was $62,949 in May 2022 and $67,415 in Nassau County . By contrast, the reported median annual salary for this same position was $54,697 in Albany County, $51,745 in Erie County, and $52,138 in Monroe County, which are all considerably less than their New York City and Long Island counterparts.
A similar trend can generally be observed when comparing New York City and Long Island salaries to those across the country. In short, there is a consistent pattern of higher salaries for legal secretaries in major metropolitan areas, such as New York City, Long Island and other substantial cities, compared to more rural locations.
Future Legal Secretary Salary Trends
The growing trend of artificial intelligence in various industries, including the legal sector, may prompt a decrease in demand for ongoing support from legal secretaries. This could lead to stagnation or a potential decline in the salaries of these professionals. However, there is a silver lining for seasoned legal secretaries; those with years of experience within the same firm or legal department may see a growth in compensation. As firms look to retain employees with institutional knowledge and significant contribution histories, experienced legal secretaries may enjoy increased salaries in an effort to avoid the cost of onboarding new employees.
Tips for Negotiating a Legal Secretary Salary
When the time comes to discuss a legal secretary salary increase, many employees will be hesitant to raise the matter with their supervisors. This is particularly true in New York’s highly competitive law environment, where your income can determine your livelihood and standard of living. However, with the right negotiating strategy and foreknowledge on the position, you can confidently and effectively request a better salary. The legal secretary salary for 2014 is $53,917, a modest pay increase over the prior year. The average annual salary has fluctuated in this range since 2011. New York’s competitive economy dictates that these numbers should continue to increase at a healthy rate. In order to negotiate your salary, you first need to know what to expect and be aware of industry trends. Of course, it is important to do your research on negotiating a legal secretary salary. Just like with any salary request, you should know what a reasonable offer is for your services based on your years of experience. You should also know what the average salary for legal secretaries is in the country and New York. Once you have this knowledge , you are well-equipped to make a convincing case for a higher salary. In presenting your case for a better legal secretary salary, it is important to remain confident but respectful at all times. You should detail exactly why you deserve more money and how your contributions have benefitted the firm. If you have on-the-job accomplishments or received any praise from co-workers or clients, you should include this in your argument as well. Take the time to study a law firm before you apply in order to ensure that your counterparties do not offer more benefits, such as maternity leave, than your target destination. You should also be aware of what the industry standard is when it comes to vacation time, sick days and bonuses. When you ask for a higher legal secretary salary, you should be able to prove your worth in exact numbers. If a competing firm offers you a better wage, use this as leverage when you speak with your employer about a raise.