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Law Clerk Salary in the United States

How much does a Law Clerk make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Law Clerk in the United States is $80,429 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

However, a Law Clerk's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,491
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,576 to $88,313
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,605
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Law Clerk Salaries

A Law Clerk's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Law Clerk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Law Clerk's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,929
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,017
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $85,842
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $86,548
  • Expert (over 8 years): $86,901
Levels Salary
Entry Level Law Clerk$77,929
Intermediate Level Law Clerk$81,017
Senior Level Law Clerk$85,842
Specialist Level Law Clerk$86,548
Expert Level Law Clerk$86,901
View as Graph

How Do Law Clerks Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Law Clerks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,051.
  • California: $88,713.
  • Massachusetts: $87,531.

Top Paying Cities for Law Clerk

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $101,445
  • San Francisco: $100,334
  • Oakland: $98,220

Law Clerk Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Law Clerk salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $90,036. While startup companies pay approximate $76,168.

Law Clerk Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $76,168
Growth Stage 51~500 $80,557
Established 501~5000 $86,945
Enterprise 5000+ $90,036

Law Clerk Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Law Clerk roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Law Clerk positions in Telecom or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Law Clerk as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Law Clerk

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$100,536$48.025%
Energy & Utilities$96,515$46.020%
Chemicals$92,493$44.015%
Healthcare$88,472$43.010%
Pharmaceuticals$88,472$43.010%

Law Clerk Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Law Clerk's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$70,576
Average $80,429/year
$88,313
$5,881
Average $6,702/month
$7,359
$1,357
Average $1,547/week
$1,698
$34
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,313 $7,359 $1,698 $42
Average $80,429 $6,702 $1,547 $39
25th Percentile $70,576 $5,881 $1,357 $34

Law Clerk Salary Growth & Career Path

Law Clerk

Next Role

Advancement

For a Law Clerk, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Legal Records Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,344 - a projected growth of 0% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Law Clerk

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Law Clerk

Here are companies hiring for Law Clerk and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Law Clerk

1. Where can a Law Clerk earn the most?

A Law Clerk's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Law Clerk earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Law Clerk is $101,445.

2. What is the highest pay for Law Clerk?

The highest pay for Law Clerk is $95,491.

3. What is the lowest pay for Law Clerk?

The lowest pay for Law Clerk is $61,605.

4. What are the responsibilities of Law Clerk?

Provides legal support to an attorney or group of attorneys. Performs substantive legal work in client matters according to established policies and procedures and under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. Drafts, edits, and files legal documents, including contracts, briefs, pleadings, and motions. Researches legal topics, statutes, and regulations to identify potential issues. Has obtained or is in the process of obtaining a law degree but has not passed the state bar exam. May require a JD. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Law Clerk?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Law Clerk roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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