Career Solutions
Find Your Opportunity
Legal Secretaries
 
Description

Legal Secretaries - Perform secretarial duties utilizing legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

O*NET code 43-6012.00

 
Wages

The national average annual salary for this occupation is $43,270 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $20.80. The average wage in New Mexico is well below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $16.89 and most workers in this occupation earn between $12.73 and $18.97 per hour.

In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.

New Mexico Local Wages for Legal Secretaries
AreaEntry WageAverage WageExperienced Wage
National Annual$43,270
National Hourly$20.80
Statewide Annual$26,478$35,136$39,465
Statewide Hourly$12.73$16.89$18.97
+ Metro Areas
Albuquerque Annual$29,310$36,711$40,411
Hourly $14.09$17.65$19.43
Farmington Annual$33,154$37,213$39,242
Hourly $15.94$17.89$18.87
Las Cruces Annual---
Hourly ---
Santa Fe Annual$33,048$43,719$49,055
Hourly $15.89$21.02$23.58
+ Regions
Central Annual$29,310$36,711$40,411
Hourly $14.09$17.65$19.43
Eastern Annual---
Hourly ---
Northern Annual$29,100$37,797$42,145
Hourly $13.99$18.17$20.26
Southwestern Annual$19,679$27,083$30,786
Hourly $9.46$13.02$14.80

A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website. Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.

 
Career Clusters

Click on the career cluster icon to see a plan of study that will help you complete your Next Step Plan. The Career Plan of Study is a Microsoft Excel document. Many occupations will fit into several career clusters.

 
Job Growth

New Mexico

2008 to 2018

In 2008 there were about 970 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will decrease by about -3 percent and an estmated 940 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is declining. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 0 openings each year for workers in this occupation.

In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas

New Mexico Local Needs for Legal Secretaries
AreaEstimated
Employment
2008
Projected
Employment
2018
Annual
Percent
Change
Total
Annual
Average
Openings
New Mexico970940-0.35%0
+ Metro Areas
Albuquerque570530-0.70%0
Farmington----
Las Cruces----
Santa Fe90900.66%1
+ Regions
Central570530-0.70%0
Eastern----
Northern2402500.45%1
Southwestern----

A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.

 
Education

Legal Secretaries usually need Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree).

Education LevelPercentage
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)48%
Some College Courses30%
High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate)15%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)7%

Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.

Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.

In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.

New Mexico Schools with programs for Legal Secretaries
+ Brookline College
Website:http://brooklinecollege.edu/locations/albuquerque/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary
+ Business Skills Institute
TypeStandardized Program Title
Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs.Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary
+ Computer Career Center
Website:http://www.vistacollege.edu/campuses/las-cruces-nm/
TypeStandardized Program Title
Associate's DegreeLegal Administrative Assistant/Secretary

This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.

 
License

No New Mexico occupational license is required.

 
WorkKeys Skill Levels
Applied MathematicsApplied TechnologyListeningLocating InformationObersvationReading for InformationTeamworkWriting
00300003

For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.

 
Industires that Hire Legal Secretaries in New Mexico.
IndustryPercent of Employed
Administrative and Support Services*
Animal Production0.5%
Hospitals*
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services85.2%
Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job1.4%
Social Assistance*

* Data is confidential.

Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau

 
Common Titles
  • Law Secretary
  • Legal Administrative Assistant
  • Legal Assistant
  • Legal Secretary
  • Paralegal
  • Paralegal Secretary
  • Secretary

Top