A court clerk salary in the USA is around $48,700 a year at the median level, according to 2025 wage data for court, municipal, and license clerks. Court clerk pay can be lower for new workers and can become higher with experience, location and the type of court. Many court clerks work for state or local government and their work includes filing court papers, entering case information, keeping court records, helping people at the court office, collecting fees and supporting judges and other court staff. The court clerk hourly pay at the national median is about $23.41 per hour, while the higher paid workers can earn more than $73,000 a year. Salary is also different from one state to another, so a court clerk salary by state can be useful for people who are looking at this career.
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How Much Does a Court Clerk Make?
How much does a court clerk make depends on where the person works and what type of court job they have. The national median for the court, municipal, and license clerk occupation is about $48,700 per year in 2025. This means half of workers earn less and half earn more. The lowest 10 percent earn below about $36,300, while the top 10 percent earn above about $73,820. These numbers are useful for understanding the normal court clerk pay range, but an actual job offer can be different because government pay schedules, experience and local cost of living also matter.
Court Clerk Salary by State
Court clerk salary by state can have a good difference across the United States. California, for example, has a much higher 2025 median wage than some states, while Florida and Texas are closer to the national level. The table below gives 2025 median annual pay where current state-level BLS data is available in the source data. For states where a directly published figure is not included in this summary, the national court clerk wage benchmark should be used only as a reference, not as a state-specific salary.
| State | Median Annual Pay / Reference |
|---|---|
| Alabama | National benchmark applies |
| Alaska | National benchmark applies |
| Arizona | National benchmark applies |
| Arkansas | National benchmark applies |
| California | $63,320 |
| Colorado | National benchmark applies |
| Connecticut | National benchmark applies |
| Delaware | National benchmark applies |
| Florida | $47,100 |
| Georgia | National benchmark applies |
| Hawaii | National benchmark applies |
| Idaho | National benchmark applies |
| Illinois | National benchmark applies |
| Indiana | National benchmark applies |
| Iowa | National benchmark applies |
| Kansas | National benchmark applies |
| Kentucky | National benchmark applies |
| Louisiana | National benchmark applies |
| Maine | National benchmark applies |
| Maryland | National benchmark applies |
| Massachusetts | National benchmark applies |
| Michigan | National benchmark applies |
| Minnesota | $56,520 |
| Mississippi | National benchmark applies |
| Missouri | National benchmark applies |
| Montana | National benchmark applies |
| Nebraska | National benchmark applies |
| Nevada | National benchmark applies |
| New Hampshire | National benchmark applies |
| New Jersey | National benchmark applies |
| New Mexico | National benchmark applies |
| New York | $53,500 |
| North Carolina | National benchmark applies |
| North Dakota | National benchmark applies |
| Ohio | National benchmark applies |
| Oklahoma | National benchmark applies |
| Oregon | National benchmark applies |
| Pennsylvania | National benchmark applies |
| Rhode Island | National benchmark applies |
| South Carolina | National benchmark applies |
| South Dakota | National benchmark applies |
| Tennessee | National benchmark applies |
| Texas | $46,580 |
| Utah | National benchmark applies |
| Vermont | National benchmark applies |
| Virginia | National benchmark applies |
| Washington | National benchmark applies |
| West Virginia | National benchmark applies |
| Wisconsin | National benchmark applies |
| Wyoming | National benchmark applies |
What Does a Court Clerk Do?
A court clerk does many administrative and records jobs inside a court. The clerk may receive legal documents, check documents for basic court requirements, open case files, enter information into an electronic docket, file records and answer questions from the public. Court clerks can also collect court fees, give receipts, prepare copies of records and certify some court documents. The exact work depends on the court and the position.
- Receive and file court documents
- Enter case information into court computer systems
- Maintain court records and case files
- Prepare and update case dockets
- Help judges, attorneys and court staff with records
- Answer questions from the public about basic court procedures
- Collect filing fees and other court payments
- Prepare copies and certified court documents
- Process incoming mail and electronic documents
- Use court case management and electronic filing systems
Court Clerk Job Duties
The daily court clerk job duties can be different depending on whether the worker is in a municipal court, county court, state court or federal court. A clerk normally needs to be careful because even a small mistake in a case record or filing can cause problems. Federal court service positions, for example, can include reviewing documents, opening cases, entering docket events, receiving fees, maintaining files and helping members of the public use court records.
Court Clerk Starting Salary
Court clerk starting salary is usually lower than the experienced worker pay because new clerks still need to learn the court system, filing rules and computer systems. A new court clerk may start somewhere around the lower part of the occupation's wage range, although government jobs often have a fixed pay grade and step system. The starting salary can also be different for a small local court compared with a large county, state or federal court. Someone with previous office, legal or government experience may have a better starting pay than a person coming into the job with no related experience.
- New court clerk may start near the lower wage range
- Government court jobs may use fixed pay grades
- Previous clerical experience can help with starting pay
- Legal office experience may be useful for some positions
- Federal and larger court systems can have different salary schedules
- Location can make a large difference in starting salary
Court Clerk Hourly Pay
Court clerk hourly pay at the national median is about $23.41 per hour based on the 2025 median annual wage of $48,700. This is only a simple yearly-to-hourly comparison and actual hourly wages can be different. Some clerks are paid according to a government hourly rate, while other positions are based on an annual salary. Overtime, additional duties, seniority and local government pay rules can also change the final amount a worker receives.
| Court Clerk Pay Level | Approximate Annual Pay | Approximate Hourly Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lower 10% | $36,300 or less | About $17.45/hour |
| Median | $48,700 | About $23.41/hour |
| Upper 10% | $73,820 or more | About $35.49/hour |
Court Clerk Salary by Experience
Experience can have an important effect on court clerk salary. A person who is new to court work may earn less while learning the filing process, court terminology and case management software. After several years, the clerk can take on more difficult cases, additional records work or senior clerical duties. Some courts also have promotions into senior clerk, deputy clerk or supervisory positions, which can bring a higher salary.
- Entry-level court clerk — usually lower starting pay
- Experienced court clerk — higher pay with years of service
- Senior court clerk — may handle more complex court records
- Deputy clerk — can have additional court administration duties
- Lead or supervisory clerk — may oversee other clerical workers
Court Clerk Salary by Court Type
Not every court clerk has the same job or salary. A municipal court clerk may mainly work with local cases, citations, payments and public records. A county or state court clerk can deal with a larger number of cases and different types of legal documents. Federal court clerks work within the federal court system and may have more formal hiring requirements and federal pay structures. Because of this, people searching for court clerk salary should also look at the exact court and position instead of using one number for every job.
| Court Type | Common Work | Pay Can Depend On |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Court | Local cases, citations, payments and records | City and local government pay scale |
| County Court | Case files, documents, dockets and public service | County budget and position level |
| State Court | State court records and case administration | State salary schedule and experience |
| Federal Court | Federal cases, filings, docket and records | Federal position and grade level |
Court Clerk Requirements
Court clerk requirements are not exactly the same in every state or court. Many entry-level clerical positions ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and good office skills. Some jobs may prefer previous clerical, legal, customer service or government experience. A court clerk also needs to be comfortable working with computers because modern courts use electronic filing and case management systems. Accuracy is very important because court records are official records and information needs to be entered correctly.
- High school diploma or equivalent for many entry-level positions
- Good reading and writing skills
- Basic computer knowledge
- Ability to organize documents and records
- Good typing and data entry skills
- Ability to communicate with the public
- Ability to protect confidential information
- Attention to detail
- Ability to follow court rules and procedures
- Previous office or legal experience can be helpful
Education Needed to Become a Court Clerk
For many court clerk jobs, a four-year college degree is not required. A high school diploma or GED can be enough for some entry-level positions. However, education requirements can become higher for specialized or senior court positions. Classes in legal studies, criminal justice, business administration, office administration or public administration can also help a person understand the type of work before applying. The exact education requirement should always be checked in the individual court's job posting.
How to Become a Court Clerk
How to become a court clerk can be a fairly straightforward path for people who already have good office and computer skills. The first step is normally to check local, county, state or federal court job openings. After meeting the education requirement, the applicant can prepare a resume showing clerical work, customer service, data entry or legal office experience. Some courts may use written tests, interviews, background checks or other hiring steps before making an offer.
- Finish high school or obtain an equivalent qualification.
- Build basic computer, typing and office skills.
- Learn about court records and basic legal terminology.
- Look for court clerk and deputy clerk openings.
- Apply through the official court or government hiring system.
- Complete interviews, testing or background checks if required.
- Learn the court's filing and case management procedures after hiring.
- Build experience and apply for higher-level court positions later.
Court Clerk Skills
A good court clerk needs more than just computer skills. The job can involve dealing with people who are worried, angry or confused about a court case, so staying professional is important. The clerk also needs to work carefully with names, dates, case numbers, legal documents and payments. Strong organization and attention to detail can make the daily work much easier.
- Data entry
- Record keeping
- Document filing
- Computer and office software skills
- Customer service
- Written communication
- Verbal communication
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Confidentiality
- Basic knowledge of legal terms
Court Clerk Jobs
Court clerk jobs are available in different levels of government across the United States. People can look for openings at city courts, county courts, state courts and the federal court system. Job titles may not always be exactly the same. Some employers use titles such as deputy clerk, court services clerk, judicial clerk assistant, court records clerk or municipal court clerk. Reading the complete job description is important because the duties and requirements can be very different even when the job title contains the word clerk.
Is Court Clerk a Good Job?
A court clerk can be a good job for someone who likes organized office work and wants a government or public-service career. The job does not normally require a long college education for many entry-level positions, and it can give workers experience with legal records and government administration. The work can also be stressful during busy court days and requires accuracy all the time. For someone who wants to move into court administration or other government jobs later, the experience can be useful.
Deputy Court Clerk Salary
A deputy court clerk salary can be different from a regular entry-level court clerk because deputy clerks can have more responsibility inside the court office. A deputy clerk may process court filings, maintain case records, enter docket information, collect payments, prepare documents and help the public with court procedures. The exact salary depends on the court, state, county, experience and job grade. Some deputy court clerk positions are also used as a career step toward senior or supervisory court administration work.
- Deputy court clerk may handle more detailed case work
- Pay depends on the court and local government
- Experience can help with higher-level deputy clerk positions
- Some deputy clerks work directly with judges and court staff
- Electronic court records are an important part of the job
- Senior deputy positions can pay more than entry-level clerk jobs
Municipal Court Clerk Salary
Municipal court clerk salary depends mostly on the city, local government pay structure and the duties of the position. Municipal clerks can work with traffic cases, local ordinance violations, citations, fines, court dates and public records. A smaller city may have a smaller court office, while a large city can have a much bigger workload and more specialized clerk positions. Because municipal court jobs are local government positions, salary can vary significantly between cities even when the job title is similar.
Federal Court Clerk Salary
Federal court clerk salary can follow a different structure from many state and local court jobs. Federal courts have their own employment system and job classifications, and salary depends on the exact position, experience and grade. Federal court employees may work with electronic case filing, docket entries, court documents, records and public inquiries. People interested in federal court clerk jobs should check official federal court career listings because requirements and pay can change by position.
Court Records Clerk Salary
A court records clerk salary is based on the same general occupation area as other court clerical positions, but the daily work can focus more heavily on maintaining and retrieving case records. Records clerks may scan documents, update electronic files, locate older records, process requests for copies and make sure documents are stored correctly. Workers who become very experienced with court records and electronic systems may qualify for senior records or court administration positions.
Where Do Court Clerks Work?
Court clerks work in many different types of government court offices across the United States. The workplace is normally an office environment inside or close to a courthouse. Some clerks spend most of the day at a computer while others work at a public service counter and communicate with attorneys, court users, law enforcement staff, judges and other government employees.
- Municipal courthouses
- County courthouses
- State courts
- Federal courts
- Traffic courts
- Family courts
- Criminal courts
- Civil courts
- Specialized court divisions
- Court administration offices
Court Clerk Work Schedule
Many court clerks work regular full-time business hours because courts normally operate during scheduled weekday hours. The exact schedule depends on the court and location. Some courts can have busy periods when there are many hearings, filing deadlines or public requests. A clerk may need to arrive before court sessions begin and stay later when records or filing work has to be completed. Part-time positions are also possible in some local courts.
Court Clerk Career Growth
Court clerk work can be an entry point into a larger government administration or court services career. After gaining experience, a clerk may be able to move into senior clerk, deputy clerk, court supervisor, records management or other administrative positions. Some workers also use their court experience when moving into legal support, government administration or other public-sector jobs. Career growth depends on the employer, available positions, education and the worker's experience.
| Career Stage | Possible Position |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | Court Clerk |
| Experienced | Senior Court Clerk |
| Advanced | Deputy Court Clerk |
| Supervisory | Lead or Supervising Clerk |
| Administration | Court Administrator or Court Operations Role |
Court Clerk Benefits
Benefits for court clerks depend on the employer, but government positions can often include a benefits package along with salary. Depending on the court and employment system, workers may receive health insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacation, sick leave and paid holidays. Federal, state, county and city employees can have different benefit programs, so the actual package should be checked in the job posting before comparing two court clerk jobs.
- Health insurance may be available
- Retirement plans may be offered
- Paid vacation can be included
- Paid sick leave may be available
- Government holidays may be paid
- Some positions offer additional employee benefits
What Affects Court Clerk Salary?
There is not one fixed court clerk salary across America. Several things can change the amount a clerk earns. Location is one of the biggest factors because government budgets and local wages are different. Experience, court type, job level and education can also matter. A clerk working in a large metropolitan court may have a different salary from someone doing similar work in a small rural court.
- State and local location
- City or county budget
- Years of experience
- Type of court
- Job title and pay grade
- Education and qualifications
- Previous government or legal experience
- Level of responsibility
- Union or employment agreements where applicable
- Federal, state or local government employment system
Court Clerk Salary Compared With Similar Jobs
People searching for court clerk salary may also compare this career with other administrative and legal support jobs. Court clerks work mainly with official court records and procedures, while legal secretaries and paralegals normally support attorneys and legal teams. Administrative assistants can work in almost any industry. The best career depends on whether a person wants government work, legal office work, public service or general office administration.
| Job | Main Work Area |
|---|---|
| Court Clerk | Court records and court administration |
| Deputy Court Clerk | Case processing and court services |
| Legal Secretary | Legal office and attorney support |
| Paralegal | Legal research and attorney support |
| Administrative Assistant | General office administration |
Is Being a Court Clerk Hard?
Being a court clerk is not usually physically hard work, but it can be mentally demanding. Clerks need to deal with many documents, case numbers, dates and deadlines and mistakes can create problems in official records. Public-facing court offices can also become busy, especially when many people need help at the same time. A person who is organized, patient and comfortable with detailed computer work may find the job easier than someone who does not like repetitive record work.
Final Thoughts on Court Clerk Salary
The court clerk salary in the USA is around $48,700 a year at the national median for the broader court, municipal and license clerk occupation in 2025. Court clerk hourly pay works out to about $23.41 per hour at that median level. Actual court clerk pay can be lower or much higher depending on experience, state, court type, job grade and local government salary rules. For people who want a stable office career in public service, court clerk jobs can be a useful starting point and may also lead to senior clerk, deputy clerk or court administration positions. Before applying, it is always better to check the current salary and requirements on the specific court or government job listing because each employer can have its own rules.