How much does a court clerk make?
Answer: A typical court clerk in the United States makes $48,700 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 180,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Court clerk pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a court clerk do?
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).
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
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.
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Office and Administrative Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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