Legal secretaries Salary
Median salary £24,263 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.
Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £24,000 after tax and National Insurance →
For legal secretaries, £26,968 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -31% versus the national average. Experienced legal secretaries (top 25%) earn over £28,314.
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
Common industries
- Law firms
- In-house legal teams
- Barristers' chambers
- Courts service
- Government legal departments
Data coverage
Median Salary
£24,263
Mean Salary
£24,728
Jobs (000s)
22k
Data Years
11 years
Salary Range (2025)
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)
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
Legal secretaries salary: common questions
How much do legal secretaries earn in the UK?
Is £26,968 a good salary in the UK?
What is the starting salary for legal secretaries?
Have legal secretaries salaries kept up with inflation?
Is there a gender pay gap for legal secretaries?
Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).
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