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Jail Clerk Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Jail Clerk in the United States is $50,964 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,827
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,161 to $53,510
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,610
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Jail Clerk Salaries

A Jail 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 Jail Clerk Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Jail 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): $51,353
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,828
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,228
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $52,348
  • Expert (over 8 years): $52,429
Levels Salary
Entry Level Jail Clerk$51,353
Intermediate Level Jail Clerk$51,828
Senior Level Jail Clerk$52,228
Specialist Level Jail Clerk$52,348
Expert Level Jail Clerk$52,429
View as Graph

How Do Jail Clerk 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 Jail Clerks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,427.
  • California: $56,213.
  • Massachusetts: $55,464.

Top Paying Cities for Jail Clerks

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: $64,281
  • San Francisco: $63,577
  • Oakland: $62,237

Jail Clerk Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Jail Clerk roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 50% above the average. Conversely, Jail Clerk positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Jail Clerk as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Jail Clerk

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$76,446$37.050%

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

Understanding how a Jail 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 October 01, 2026
$48,161
Average $50,964/year
$53,510
$4,013
Average $4,247/month
$4,459
$926
Average $980/week
$1,029
$23
Average $25/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,510 $4,459 $1,029 $26
Average $50,964 $4,247 $980 $25
25th Percentile $48,161 $4,013 $926 $23

Most common benefits for Jail Clerk

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

Common company salaries for Jail Clerk

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

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FAQ about Jail Clerk

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Jail Clerk?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Jail Clerk roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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