How much does a court clerk make?
a year · about $23 an hour
A typical court clerk in the United States makes $48,700 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
At court, a clerk may check legal papers, update case records, and help people with questions about court dates or fees. At a city or licensing counter, they may review applications, issue permits, collect fees, or prepare meeting agendas.
Did you know? A U.S. court clerk may ask witnesses and potential jurors to swear to tell the truth—and keep track of physical evidence shown at trial.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $36,300 and $73,820How do you become one?
In the United States, most jobs ask for a high school diploma or GED, and you can apply for an entry-level clerk position. New clerks learn forms and procedures on the job; the amount of prior experience and training required depends on the position.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, skills, and how much responsibility a clerk has. It also depends on whether the job is with a court, city, or licensing office, and on the local area and any special training or credentials.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($64,680), lowest in Arkansas ($36,960).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,300 | $48,700 | $73,820 | about 180,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $64,680 | about 3,000 |
| California | $63,320 | about 12,000 |
| Massachusetts | $61,730 | about 4,000 |
| Rhode Island | $61,670 | about 660 |
| Oregon | $61,300 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees. Clerks of Court are classified in “Managers, All Other” (11-9199).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/43-4031.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes434031.htm
- www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_netw
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY