Judicial Law Clerks Salary Guide 2025: Median $64,920, Top Earners $113K+
The median salary for Judicial Law Clerks in the U.S. is $64,920 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That works out to about $31 per hour. The typical range runs from $46,180 at the 10th percentile to $113,140 at the 90th. Only about 13,290 people hold this job nationwide, making it a relatively small but prestigious legal occupation.
How much Judicial Law Clerks earn
Mean annual wages across all clerks hit $72,950 in the latest BLS survey. Hourly, the mean comes to $35.07. The job pays better than many entry-level legal roles but below what practicing attorneys earn.
About 1,000 openings open up each year, mostly due to retirements and clerks rotating out after a year or two.
- 10th percentile: $46,180
- Median: $64,920
- 90th percentile: $113,140
- Mean annual: $72,950
Pay by state
Where you work matters enormously for a Judicial Law Clerk. Massachusetts tops the list at $143,350 mean annual wage—more than double the national mean. New York comes next at $133,320, followed by Connecticut at $98,670. Oregon ($86,870) and North Dakota ($85,530) round out the top five.
The lowest-paying states are Oklahoma ($44,990), Kansas ($45,720), and Hawaii ($47,010). These figures reflect cost of living and state court budgets.
How to become Judicial Law Clerk
The path is straightforward but competitive. Most clerks hold a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and have passed the bar in their state, though some federal clerkships accept top law graduates before bar passage.
- Earn a bachelor's degree (any field; political science, history, or English common).
- Graduate from an ABA-accredited law school with a JD. Top grades and law review experience help.
- Apply for clerkships during law school or after graduation. Judges hire one to two years out.
- Pass the bar exam in the state where you'll clerk (federal clerkships may not require immediate bar membership).
- Consider a 1-2 year term; most clerkships are temporary by design.
Job outlook
The BLS projects 2.5% growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. That translates to roughly 1,000 openings per year over the decade. Competition is stiff—every open slot draws hundreds of applicants from top law schools.
Federal clerkships pay less than private-sector law jobs but offer unmatched experience and can springboard into prestigious legal careers. Demand stays steady because courts need clerks, and turnover is high as clerks move on to other legal roles.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Judicial Law Clerk make in 2025?
The national median salary is $64,920, with a typical range from $46,180 to $113,140. Mean annual wage is $72,950.
What education do you need to be a Judicial Law Clerk?
You need a Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school. Strong academic performance and law review membership help. Some federal clerkships require bar passage, but not all.
Is the job outlook good for Judicial Law Clerks?
Yes, but competitive. BLS projects 2.5% growth (2024-2034), about average. Roughly 1,000 openings per year, mostly due to turnover. Clerkships are typically 1-2 year terms.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Judicial Law Clerks data.