What Does a Court Clerk Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a court clerk do?

Court, municipal and license clerks handle records, filings, licenses and public requests for courts, city and county governments and licensing offices. The median pay is $48,700 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1+ year on the job, and employment is projected to grow +3.4% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$48,700
$23.41/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.4%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
17,100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
1+ year on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
187,000
Employment, 2025

What court clerks do

Clerks keep government running smoothly. Court clerks file case documents, schedule hearings, prepare dockets, swear in witnesses, record rulings and collect fees. Municipal clerks keep city records, prepare council agendas and minutes and run elections. License clerks issue marriage, business, vehicle and other licenses.

Most clerks have a high school diploma and long on-the-job training. The jobs offer stable government employment with good benefits.

Typical duties

Process filings and records
Schedule hearings and prepare dockets
Record court actions and rulings
Collect fees and fines
Issue licenses and permits
Answer public questions
Maintain official records

Work environment and schedule

Clerks work in courthouses, city halls and licensing offices, serving the public at counters and in courtrooms.

Schedule: Most work full-time during business hours; municipal clerks attend evening council meetings.

A day in the life

8:00 AMOpen the clerk’s counter and check e-filings.
9:00 AMSit in court to record rulings.
11:00 AMProcess new civil case filings.
12:30 PMHelp a couple apply for a marriage license.

See a full day in the life of a court clerk →

Court Clerk salary

Half of court clerks earned more than $48,700 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,300 for the lowest 10% to $73,820 for the top 10%.

$36,30010th$48,700Median$73,82090th

Full court clerk pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a court clerk

Build office skills
Apply to government
Pass civil service exams
Learn procedures
Advance

A high school diploma is typical, plus long on-the-job training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a court clerk →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Records management
Court procedures
Case management systems
Fee collection
Legal terminology

People skills

Accuracy
Customer service
Discretion
Organization

All court clerk skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Stable government jobs
Good benefits
See the legal system up close
Regular hours

Cons

Detail-heavy and repetitive
Upset members of the public
Strict deadlines
Pay is moderate

Certifications and licenses

Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC): IIMC credential.
Certified Court Manager: Court administration credential.
Notary public: Often useful.
Election administration certification: For municipal clerks.

Career path

Clerk: Process records.
Senior or Courtroom Clerk: Handle court sessions.
Clerk Supervisor: Lead staff.
Court Administrator or City Clerk: Run offices.

Learn the job before day one

Our Court Clerk training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as process a court filing and prepare a court docket, safety and how to land your first job.

View Court Clerk training Is this career right for me?

Court Reporter

Create word-for-word records of court proceedings and live captions.

$72,420
2–4 years

Paralegal

Research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.

$62,890
6 months to 2 years

Bailiff

Keep courtrooms safe, orderly and running on schedule.

$56,600
1–6 months

Eligibility Interviewer

Interview applicants and decide who qualifies for public benefits.

$54,210
1–12 months on the job

Compare: Court Clerk vs. Court Reporter · Court Clerk vs. Paralegal · Court Clerk vs. Bailiff · Court Clerk vs. Eligibility Interviewer

Court Clerk FAQ

Do court clerks need a degree?

Usually not; training is on the job.

Is the work stable?

Yes, government clerk jobs are steady.

Can clerks advance?

Yes, to supervisor, court administrator or city clerk roles.

How much does a court clerk make?

The median annual wage for court clerks was $48,700 ($23.41 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,300 and the highest 10% earned more than $73,820.

How long does it take to become a court clerk?

Most people need about 1+ year on the job of training. A high school diploma is typical, plus long on-the-job training.

Do you need a degree to be a court clerk?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-4031 (Court, municipal, and license clerks).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Court, municipal, and license clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Court Clerk