Who Earns What

How much does a court clerk make?

US Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
$48,700

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 know
This job$48,700
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $36,300 and $73,820
47 of 100
not many

How 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
Whole US$48,700
Washington$64,680
California$63,320
Massachusetts$61,730
Rhode Island$61,670
Oregon$61,300
West Virginia$37,810
Mississippi$37,210
Arkansas$36,960

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Court clerk pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$36,300$48,700$73,820about 180,000
States where court clerks earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Washington$64,680about 3,000
California$63,320about 12,000
Massachusetts$61,730about 4,000
Rhode Island$61,670about 660
Oregon$61,300about 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

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Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY