According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median legal secretary or administrative assistant in the US earned $55,570 in May 2025, and that figure leaves out benefits, equipment and desk space. The salary is only one line. Our post on how virtual legal assistants help law firms save money covers where the savings come from.
Key Takeaways
- An in-house assistant costs salary, benefits, workspace, equipment and training time, and a remote assistant costs a salary, a one-time recruitment fee and training time.
- Median US pay in May 2025 was $55,570 for legal secretaries and administrative assistants and $62,890 for paralegals and legal assistants, according to the BLS.
- Adding capacity means hiring another person in either case, and reducing it depends on notice terms and the employment rules that apply.
- Remote work does not remove duties: worker classification, confidentiality and supervision still apply.
- Compare a full year of each option with every line priced.
Salary and Compensation
Start with the in-house salary. The BLS put median pay at $55,570 for legal secretaries and administrative assistants and $62,890 for paralegals and legal assistants in May 2025. Then add benefits: in June 2026 private employers spent about $30 on benefits for every $70 they paid in wages and salaries.
A remote assistant brings a monthly salary agreed directly with you. Through us there is no hourly rate, and the only other charge is the one-time $1,997 recruitment fee. Pay scales differ by country, so the figure is often lower than a US salary for similar work, and our guide to how much a virtual legal assistant costs gives the details. Make sure the terms are in a written agreement, and ask an accountant how pay, leave and any statutory benefits work in the assistant's country.
Overhead and Operational Costs
An in-office hire adds a desk, a computer, software seats, utilities and a share of the lease. A remote assistant needs none of those in your office. Some costs shift to other lines, since software seats still apply and data security work grows: a remote assistant needs a personal login, two-step sign-in and a device policy.
Whether the assistant counts as an employee or an independent contractor depends on the working relationship and on the law where they live and work. The IRS looks at behavioral control, financial control and the relationship of the parties, so ask an accountant before you sign.
Flexibility and Scalability
Both hires are standing costs. An in-house salary and a remote monthly salary continue through a slow month. The differences are lead time and reach. A remote search draws from a wider pool, and our hiring process takes 7 to 10 days. To add capacity, you hire another person. To reduce it, you follow the notice terms in the agreement and the employment rules that apply.
Training and Development
Experienced assistants usually arrive knowing legal terms and common software, but every hire needs training on your forms, systems and habits. Plan a period of supervised work for either option. In-house staff pick up habits by being near people, and a remote assistant needs written procedures and regular check-ins. We reference check every shortlisted candidate and test attention to detail before you interview them, which shortens the search and leaves your training time unchanged.
Productivity and Efficiency
Remote work does not change who is accountable: the lawyer sets the tasks and reviews the results. A shared task list, a daily check-in and a weekly review show what was done and what is waiting. Track the numbers that matter, such as tasks finished on time, errors caught in review and hours of lawyer time freed. Those figures decide whether either hire pays for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Qualifications Should a Virtual Legal Assistant Have?
The role sets the qualifications. For administrative work, look for law office experience, clear writing and comfort with your software. For paralegal-level work, ask for research and drafting samples. According to the ABA, paralegal certification is voluntary, and some states regulate the title.
How Do I Ensure Data Security With a Remote Assistant?
Write the rules down: a personal login, two-step sign-in, a confidentiality agreement, a device policy, secure file sharing and training on phishing emails. The ABA's Formal Opinion 498 covers these points, and Rule 1.6(c) asks the lawyer for reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized disclosure.
Can a Virtual Legal Assistant Integrate With My Law Firm’s Software?
Yes, if your software can be used remotely. Give the assistant a login of their own, set permissions to match the job and add one system at a time. If a program only runs on an office computer, ask the vendor about remote access first.
How Do I Effectively Manage and Collaborate With a Remote Assistant?
Agree the schedule, the channel for urgent matters and the review routine, and write the procedures down. A short daily check-in at first and a weekly review later keep the work visible. Plan how the assistant's shift overlaps with your day.
What Are the Liability Concerns of Using a Virtual Legal Assistant?
Four areas deserve a check: who is responsible for the assistant's work, whether your malpractice policy covers work by remote nonlawyer staff, how the assistant is classified for tax and employment purposes, and how client data is protected. The lawyer remains responsible for supervision under Rule 5.3, so ask your insurer in writing whether remote staff, including staff abroad, are covered.
Final Thought
Price one year of each hire on the same sheet: salary, benefits, workspace, equipment, training and supervision time. Our post on in-house versus outsourced legal assistants covers the factors beyond cost, and a free consultation can help you price the remote option for your role.