Judicial Law Clerks
SOC code 23-1012 · O*NET-SOC 23-1012.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Judicial Law Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$64,920
a year
Hourly
$31.21
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$72,950
$35.07 per hour
Middle 50%
$52,870 – $80,420
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$46,180 – $113,140
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
13,290
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $46,180
- $22.20/hr
- 25th percentile
- $52,870
- $25.42/hr
- Median percentile
- $64,920
- $31.21/hr
- 75th percentile
- $80,420
- $38.67/hr
- 90th percentile
- $113,140
- $54.40/hr
What does a judicial law clerk do?
Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.
- Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.
- Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.
- Confer with judges concerning legal questions, construction of documents, or granting of orders.
- Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved or basis for relief.
- Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.
- Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.
- Enter information into computerized court calendar, filing, or case management systems.
How to become a judicial law clerk
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 52% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree52%
- Post-Doctoral Training20%
- First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.17%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7%
Common questions
How much does a judicial law clerk earn?
The national median is $64,920 a year. The full range runs from $46,180 at the 10th percentile to $113,140 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a judicial law clerk without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.5/5
- Active Listening4.3/5
- Critical Thinking4.3/5
- Writing4.1/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Learning Strategies3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.9/5
- English Language4.5/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics2.9/5
- Public Safety and Security2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.