Court Clerk Salary: What You’ll Earn
A Career as a Court Clerk in the Criminal Justice System Can Offer You Lucrative Earning Opportunities
Information clerks earn median annual wages of $34,520, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, due to the specialized skills that court clerks bring to their jobs, PayScale reports that they earn significantly more, at about $43,897 per year, on average. This guide covers court clerk earning potential over time, the highest-paying states, and how court clerk salaries compare to other criminal justice salaries.
What’s My Earning Potential as a Court Clerk?
Several important factors affect a court clerk’s earning potential. For example, experienced court clerks make significantly more than their entry-level colleagues. Location can also affect the average court clerk salary. Professionals in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Maryland tend to earn more than court clerks in other areas of the country.
Additionally, court clerks can earn different wages depending on their education. While some courts allow high school graduates to fill these positions, others require candidates to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees.
| Entry Level (0-12 Months) | $27,000 |
|---|---|
| Early Career (1-4 Years) | $31,000 |
| Midcareer (5-9 Years) | $35,000 |
Source: PayScale
Where can I earn the most as a court clerk?
The average court clerk salary depends largely on where the professional lives. Some areas of the country have higher living costs than others. As such, municipalities need to pay court clerks more to keep up with the cost of living. On the other hand, court clerks in low-cost states, like Oklahoma, Montana, and South Dakota, tend to earn less than the national average. The following states offer court clerks higher average earnings than the national median.| State | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| New York | $56,890 |
| Alaska | $52,680 |
| California | $51,550 |
| Connecticut | $51,350 |
| Washington | $50,590 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
How Do Court Clerk Careers Compare to Other Criminal Justice Careers?
Experience, degree, and location affect the pay for all law enforcement careers. While court clerks tend to earn less than lawyers, arbitrators, paralegals, and police, the position also requires less education. Students who want to work in higher-paying criminal justice jobs can work as court clerks while they earn higher degrees. This path allows them to get experience in the courts, make professional connections, and earn money while in school. When planning careers, learners should also consider projected court clerk growth rates.
| Position | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $41,100 | N/A |
| Lawyers | $120,910 | 8% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $62,270 | 10% |
| Paralegals | $50,940 | 15% |
| Police and Detectives | $62,960 | 7% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Take the Next Step Today
Court clerks enjoy stable employment, good pay, and plenty of growth potential. Learners who consider this career path can follow the below links to learn more about law enforcement degree options and how to become a court clerk.