A law clerk will help lawyers and judges in law firms, courts, and other types of legal settings.
To become a law clerk there some training is required.
The legal field is extremely complex and changes consistently.
To keep up with these changes, a team of legal professionals is necessary.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 41,550 law clerks employed throughout the United States.
Job Description of a Law Clerk
A law clerk performs a wide variety of tasks, such as preparing legal documents, conducting legal analysis, and conducting research.
A law clerk will prepare draft opinions for cases that will act as the foundation for lawyers and judges.
They will also help during an action by preparing for a case and examining legal documents.
This includes preparing legal documents such as petitions, legal complaints, and affidavits.
A law clerk will help a judge by providing information about the priority of the cases that are to be presented to the court and the status of each case.
They will also help with the translation of legal documents.
Law clerks set up equipment in the courtroom to ensure that it is ready for each particular case.
They may also act as a liaison between clients, attorneys, and judges.
Some believe court reporters and law clerks are the same, but these are two different professions.
Educational Requirements
Each employer has their own unique set of requirements for law clerks.
However, a law clerk diploma or degree in legal studies is typically a baseline requirement.
The majority of individuals who wish to work as a law clerk will complete a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of law school.
Individuals who want to work for a federal judge as a law clerk will want to complete law school.
To be eligible for law school, a person must first earn a bachelor’s degree.
The next step is taking and passing the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
Law school typically takes at least three years to complete as a full-time student.
Judicial internships are recommended as law clerk positions require an individual to have sufficient experience in the legal field.
It is also very important for a law clerk to remain up to date on all current legal issues and laws, and the majority of employers will require a law clerk to take continuing education courses regularly.
Job Availability
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for law clerks, legal assistants, and paralegals is expected to grow by 23% by 2033.
This is a faster rate of growth than average for every profession.
However, it is important to note that even with the high rate of growth, potential law clerks are going to experience extensive competition for jobs because the profession is quite popular.
This is why it is recommended that a person interested in becoming a law clerk obtain more than a bachelor’s degree and go on to complete law school.
In addition, a person will need to work in the legal industry to gain experience if they truly want to work as a law clerk.
This is especially true for those who aspire to work in a federal court for a federal judge.
U.S. Average Salary: $72,950
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 140 | $72,050 | $34.64 | $93,140 | $62,820 |
| Arizona | 250 | $62,480 | $30.04 | $77,710 | $46,580 |
| Arkansas | 50 | $87,120 | $41.89 | $112,690 | $47,050 |
| California | 1,800 | $76,070 | $36.57 | $90,680 | $59,620 |
| Colorado | 140 | $66,290 | $31.87 | $70,890 | $61,530 |
| Connecticut | 270 | $102,260 | $49.16 | $146,370 | $61,640 |
| Delaware | 100 | $64,300 | $30.91 | $64,720 | $60,910 |
| Florida | 1,300 | $56,650 | $27.24 | $63,730 | $44,950 |
| Georgia | 560 | $66,480 | $31.96 | $78,050 | $42,260 |
| Hawaii | 330 | $54,200 | $26.06 | $73,840 | $40,250 |
| Idaho | 60 | $70,030 | $33.67 | $79,880 | $49,480 |
| Indiana | 70 | $61,650 | $29.64 | $96,520 | $38,830 |
| Iowa | 90 | $69,700 | $33.51 | $86,350 | $55,210 |
| Kansas | 40 | $48,140 | $23.15 | $68,920 | $33,350 |
| Louisiana | 90 | $64,990 | $31.25 | $83,230 | $40,410 |
| Maine | 30 | $73,640 | $35.40 | $92,190 | $67,890 |
| Maryland | 370 | $72,130 | $34.68 | $90,120 | $59,900 |
| Massachusetts | 500 | $132,380 | $63.64 | $143,350 | $82,210 |
| Michigan | 280 | $65,150 | $31.32 | $83,380 | $48,690 |
| Minnesota | 410 | $71,180 | $34.22 | $79,850 | $64,980 |
| Missouri | 100 | $66,400 | $31.92 | $74,710 | $59,530 |
| Montana | 40 | $52,460 | $25.22 | $66,970 | $44,240 |
| Nebraska | 110 | $57,240 | $27.52 | $104,860 | $38,350 |
| Nevada | 70 | $72,800 | $35.00 | $96,610 | $53,300 |
| New Jersey | 530 | $61,530 | $29.58 | $69,740 | $58,890 |
| New York | 850 | $126,340 | $60.74 | $171,870 | $82,190 |
| North Dakota | 40 | $89,920 | $43.23 | $111,580 | $70,690 |
| Ohio | 240 | $60,080 | $28.89 | $102,440 | $41,730 |
| Oklahoma | 130 | $65,960 | $31.71 | $125,990 | $31,200 |
| Oregon | 30 | $82,920 | $39.86 | $86,870 | $77,370 |
| Pennsylvania | 970 | $52,010 | $25.01 | $76,250 | $34,310 |
| South Carolina | 230 | $59,310 | $28.51 | $82,490 | $41,100 |
| Tennessee | 400 | $77,120 | $37.08 | $100,100 | $50,240 |
| Texas | 220 | $67,810 | $32.60 | $82,400 | $46,320 |
| Utah | 630 | $56,770 | $27.29 | $85,700 | $45,430 |
| Virginia | 380 | $70,140 | $33.72 | $89,960 | $54,310 |
| Washington | 580 | $85,030 | $40.88 | $113,700 | $62,400 |
| West Virginia | 260 | $59,970 | $28.83 | $83,890 | $52,120 |
| Wisconsin | 180 | $57,090 | $27.45 | $67,900 | $48,480 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
Massachusetts tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $132,380.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary estimates are based on data from the May 2025 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Judicial Law Clerks, (SOC Code 23-1012).* Employment opportunities may vary depending on your area.
Being a law clerk is a great role that offers a unique opportunity to work closely with judges and contribute to the judicial decision-making process.
I like the level of responsibility entrusted to law clerks, as they assist in legal research, writing opinions, and ensuring the proper application of the law.
They also allow law clerks to gain firsthand insights into the inner workings of the legal system, providing a solid foundation for future legal careers.
The mentorship and guidance received from experienced judges can be incredibly valuable, helping law clerks develop their legal skills and ethical judgment.
They also play a critical role in uploading the integrity of the judicial system, ensuring that justice is served and the rule of law prevails.
The mentorship and guidance from experienced judges offer law clerks a unique and educational experience that can shape their legal perspective and ethical principles.
Reading this made me appreciate how much law clerks actually legal work. I had no idea how intense the research and writing can be, or how clerking opens doors to better opportunities down the road.