Judicial Law Clerk Salary in 2026

    SOC: 23-1012.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $60,400
    per year
    Salary Range
    $42K – $113K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    13,220
    employed
    Job Growth
    +2.5%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Judicial Law Clerks Make?

    Judicial Law Clerks earn a median annual salary of $60,400 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $42,000 at the 10th percentile to $113,150 at the 90th percentile — a range of $71,150. The highest-paying state is New York at $127,780.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$42,000
    25th percentile$49,840
    Median (50th)$60,400
    75th percentile$78,060
    90th percentile$113,150
    10th: $42,000Median: $60,40090th: $113,150
    Section 02

    Judicial Law Clerk Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    New Yorktop$127,780
    Connecticut$96,260
    Arkansas$94,490
    North Dakota$89,080
    Tennessee$80,440
    Washington$80,260
    California$76,410
    Idaho$71,690
    Maine$68,540
    Nevada$66,120
    Colorado$65,270
    Delaware$63,450
    Missouri$62,900
    Iowa$62,390
    Texas$61,950
    South Carolina$60,190
    Arizona$59,710
    Louisiana$58,690
    Michigan$58,320
    New Jersey$54,040
    Wisconsin$53,940
    Florida$53,930
    Georgia$53,000
    Utah$50,490
    Indiana$49,930
    West Virginia$49,220
    Ohio$49,110
    Hawaii$48,460
    Nebraska$47,960
    Pennsylvania$47,950
    Kansas$46,950
    Montana$44,920
    Mississippi$43,680
    Oregon$41,120
    Oklahoma$38,480
    Kentucky$37,680
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Judicial Law Clerks

    New York
    Highest paying
    $127,780
    top metro salary
    Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
    $102,710
    $-25,070 vs highest
    Connecticut
    $96,260
    $-31,520 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $86,090
    $-41,690 vs highest
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
    $85,340
    $-42,440 vs highest
    Tennessee
    $80,440
    $-47,340 vs highest
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $80,260
    $-47,520 vs highest
    Washington
    $80,260
    $-47,520 vs highest
    Section 04

    Judicial Law Clerk Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$42,000 – $49,840
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$60,400
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$78,060
    Senior (15+ yrs)$113,150+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Judicial Law Clerk

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Judicial Law Clerks in New York earn $127,780 — $67,380 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($78,060) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Judicial Law Clerk Salary vs Similar Careers

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 23-1012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.