CDCareer Decision

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $47,430, with 400 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $38,510 at the 10th percentile to $71,910 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$47,430

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$22.81

Employment

400

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$38,510
10th
$38,750
25th
$47,430
Median
$63,900
75th
$71,910
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$47,430

Median annual · 2025

United States

$55,570

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 14.6% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $8,140).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  3. 3.WritingImportance 3.9
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  5. 5.Time ManagementImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  9. 9.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Active LearningImportance 2.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • A1-Law
  • AbacusNext HotDocs
  • Aderant CompuLaw
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • Amortization calculation software
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Billing software
  • Case management software
  • Chrome River Expense
  • Database software
  • Dropbox
  • Electronic adjudication management systems EAM
  • Electronic diary software
  • Email software

Common tasks

  • Organize and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
  • Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
  • Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
  • Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
  • Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
  • Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
  • Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
  • Receive and place telephone calls.
  • Schedule and make appointments.
  • Draft and type office memos.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants salary in other locations

Other occupations in Des Moines, IA