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SOC 4212 Secretarial and related occupations

Legal secretaries Salary

Median salary £24,263 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

About this role

Legal secretaries provide specialist administrative support within law firms and legal departments, preparing legal documents, managing case files, handling client communications and supporting solicitors and barristers with their legal practice.

Key responsibilities

  • Preparing legal documents, contracts and court bundles
  • Managing case files and maintaining filing systems
  • Handling client telephone calls and correspondence
  • Managing solicitor diaries, appointments and deadlines
  • Audio typing legal dictation and amending documents

Qualifications and entry routes

Legal secretarial qualifications (e.g., CILEx, ILSPA) or relevant experience are valued. Accurate typing, knowledge of legal terminology and court procedures, and IT proficiency are essential.

Career outlook

Law firms continue to need skilled legal secretaries, though technology is reducing some routine tasks. Progression to paralegal roles is a common pathway.

Key skills

Legal terminology Audio typing Document management Client communication Deadline management

Common industries

  • Law firms
  • In-house legal teams
  • Barristers' chambers
  • Courts service
  • Government legal departments

Data coverage

SOC code 4212
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 22,000

Median Salary

£24,263

Mean Salary

£24,728

Jobs (000s)

22k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £18,543Median: £24,263P75: £28,314
P10: --P25: £19kMedian: £24kP75: £28kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£18,543

0-2 years

Mid Level

£18,543

3-7 years

Senior

£28,314

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +53% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +36.5%Real growth: -1.2%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 2.6%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£24,263

Full-time Only

£26,968

Full-time premium: +£2,705