Lawyer
Advise clients on the law and represent them in disputes and deals.
- $159,670
- 7 years after high school
Business & Office career
Judicial Law Clerk
Also called: Law Clerk · Judicial Clerk · Staff Attorney · Court Clerk Attorney
What judicial law clerks do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a judicial law clerk do?
Judicial law clerks assist judges by researching legal issues, writing memos and drafting opinions and orders. The median pay is $64,920 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 7 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +2.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$64,920$31.21/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.8%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train7 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs14,000Employment, 2025
What judicial law clerks do
Judicial law clerks work closely with judges. They read briefs and records, research legal issues, write bench memos, draft opinions and orders, and help manage the court’s docket. Clerkships usually last one or two years and are a prized first job after law school.
Clerks need a J.D., and most are recent law graduates with strong grades and writing skills.
Typical duties
- Read briefs and records
- Research legal issues
- Write bench memos
- Draft opinions and orders
- Prepare judges for hearings
- Manage the docket
- Check citations
Work environment and schedule
Clerks work in judges’ chambers in courthouses.
Schedule: Full time, often one- or two-year terms.
A day in the life
- Read briefs for tomorrow’s argument.
- Research a statute.
- Meet the judge about a case.
- Draft an opinion section.
See a full day in the life of a judicial law clerk →
Judicial Law Clerk salary
Half of judicial law clerks earned more than $64,920 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,180 for the lowest 10% to $113,140 for the top 10%.
Full judicial law clerk pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a judicial law clerk
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Earn a J.D.
- Join law review
- Apply for clerkships
- Clerk
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required, usually with strong grades and law review experience.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a judicial law clerk →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Legal research
- Legal writing
- Opinion drafting
- Citation checking
- Case analysis
People skills
- Discretion
- Attention to detail
- Objectivity
- Reliability
All judicial law clerk skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Prestigious first job
- Mentorship from a judge
- Learn how courts decide
- Great writing practice
Cons
- Lower pay than firms
- Short terms
- Heavy reading
- Competitive
Certifications and licenses
- J.D.: Required.
- Law review: Valued.
- Bar admission: Often required or expected.
- Moot court: Valued.
Career path
- Law Student: Prepare.
- Judicial Law Clerk: Clerk.
- Associate or Government Lawyer: Practice.
- Partner or Judge: Senior roles.
Learn the job before day one
Our Judicial Law Clerk training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a bench memo and draft a section of a court opinion, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Judicial Law Clerk vs. Lawyer · Judicial Law Clerk vs. Paralegal · Judicial Law Clerk vs. Law Professor · Judicial Law Clerk vs. Court Reporter
Judicial Law Clerk FAQ
How long is a clerkship?
Usually one or two years.
Do clerks need to pass the bar?
Often, though some start before results.
Is a clerkship valuable?
Yes, it is highly valued by employers.
How much does a judicial law clerk make?
The median annual wage for judicial law clerks was $64,920 ($31.21 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,180 and the highest 10% earned more than $113,140.
How long does it take to become a judicial law clerk?
Most people need about 7 years after high school of training. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required, usually with strong grades and law review experience.
Do you need a degree to be a judicial law clerk?
Yes. Judicial law clerks need a Juris Doctor (J.D.), and most are recent law graduates with strong grades and writing skills.
More judicial law clerk questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 23-1012 (Judicial law clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Judicial law 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.