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These are all assistant positions....How much should one get paid to "assist?"
Actually that one for the dentist doesn't look like they require a college degree. It's probably a stretch to call it a dream job, but 30K with benefits and bonuses is better than what you'd make working in the service industry. I guess it could be the dream job for a high school graduate working at burger king, and it sounds like they are willing to at least consider that person, so I don't see an issue with that particular listing.
Most entry level legal assistants don't make anywhere near that. Try more like 30K, if they are lucky enough to get hired instead of the unemployed JD next to them. If they have a degree and certification perhaps a bit more... but in this job market it's a rarity. I should know, I have a degree and certification and left the legal field entirely because the pay sucked (main reason, there were many others). My dream doesn't involve me maxing out at a wage that barely pays my rent and grocery bill. Those 60K legal assist gigs are in short supply, especially since the ABA gave the green light to outsource menial legal work. If it was me, Jen5276, I would hold onto my ass and I'd hold on tight. There is no upward mobility in your position and your employer views you as a liability, not an asset. Sounds harsh but it's the truth.
Last edited by EastBoundandDownChick; 07-21-2011 at 06:55 AM..
My friend was hiring for a Legal Assist/Admin at an investment banking firm, salary was about $65K, and the resumes they received were shocking: Attorneys, Compliance Officers from other Investment Banking Firms, and a variety of MBAs in all fields with years and years of experience. It was eye opening for him and his colleagues, and revealed the sheer breadth of people out of work looking for anything. With competition like that, new grads, and those with just a Bachelors is disconcerting.
Most entry level legal assistants don't make anywhere near that. Try more like 30K, if they are lucky enough to get hired instead of the unemployed JD next to them. If they have a degree and certification perhaps a bit more... but in this job market it's a rarity. I should know, I have a degree and certification and left the legal field entirely because the pay sucked (main reason, there were many others). My dream doesn't involve me maxing out at a wage that barely pays my rent and grocery bill. Those 60K legal assist gigs are in short supply, especially since the ABA gave the green light to outsource menial legal work. If it was me, Jen5276, I would hold onto my ass and I'd hold on tight. There is no upward mobility in your position and your employer views you as a liability, not an asset. Sounds harsh but it's the truth.
Actually, I work for a sole practitioner who told me not too long ago (when I was going to leave due to BS office stuff) that he really valued me and did not want me to quit, that I was essential to his practice. He even offered me a raise, he said he would do whatever it took to keep me. He's very old school like that, he really does value his employees. His other assistant (yes, he's that busy that he requires two) has been with him over 13 years. He also pays 100% of our medical benefits. I realize that this a rare thing, and I don't expect to find something this good again.
But I do not what you are saying, I have worked in several firms where they had no problem letting to the senior assistants and hiring younger ones for less $. It's sad. I have over 15 years experience doing this, so I wouldn't settle for a low salary unless I was absolutely desperate.
Sounds good. How many years of experience do you have? What is usual starting entry for a legal assistant?
Well, it seems these days a starting salary could be around 30K, like eastboundanddownchick said. It used to be much higher, but firms have gotten very, very cheap. I actually have a friend that works in a large firm here in the city and she had given my resume to her supervisor quite some time ago...turns out they are hiring now and they were interested in me but said they could only offer me 32K!!! The supervisor even acknowledged that the salary was insanely low for someone with my experience (over 15 years), but that was all she was authorized to offer
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