As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Law Clerk in California is $88,692 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Law Clerk's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Law Clerk Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $97,386 | $8,116 | $1,873 | $47 |
| Average | $88,692 | $7,391 | $1,706 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,827 | $6,486 | $1,497 | $37 |
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.
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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Law Clerk | $85,935 |
| Intermediate Level Law Clerk | $89,341 |
| Senior Level Law Clerk | $94,661 |
| Specialist Level Law Clerk | $95,440 |
| Expert Level Law Clerk | $95,829 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
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:
Law Clerk salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $99,202. While startup companies pay approximate $83,895.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $83,895 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $88,732 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $95,798 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $99,202 |
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.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $110,865 | $53.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $106,431 | $51.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $101,996 | $49.0 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $97,561 | $47.0 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $97,561 | $47.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $97,386 | $8,116 | $1,873 | $47 |
| Average | $88,692 | $7,391 | $1,706 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,827 | $6,486 | $1,497 | $37 |
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 $88,604 - a projected growth of 0% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Law Clerk job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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