Career comparison
Judicial Law Clerk vs. Lawyer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Lawyers earn more at the median ($159,670 vs. $64,920), while judicial law clerks usually get to work faster (7 years after high school of training). Judicial law clerks research and draft opinions for a judge, usually right after law school. Lawyers advise clients on the law and represent them in disputes and deals.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Judicial Law Clerk | Lawyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,920 ($31.21/hr) | $159,670 ($76.76/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,180 – $113,140 | $78,360 – $351,600 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.8% (about as fast as average) | +4.7% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 1,500 | 28,700 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 7 years after high school | 7 years after high school |
| Key credential | J.D. | State bar admission |
| Work setting | Clerks work in judges’ chambers in courthouses.. | Lawyers work in offices, courtrooms and client sites.. |
What each job does
Judicial Law Clerk
- Read briefs and records
- Research legal issues
- Write bench memos
- Draft opinions and orders
- Prepare judges for hearings
Lawyer
- Advise clients
- Research the law
- Draft contracts and documents
- Negotiate deals and settlements
- Represent clients in court
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, problem-solving, and high responsibility. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose judicial law clerk if…
- I love legal research
- I write clearly
- I can keep confidences
Choose lawyer if…
- I like debate
- I read closely
- I write well
Still torn? Take the Judicial Law Clerk fit quiz and the Lawyer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, judicial law clerk or lawyer?
Lawyers earn more at the median: $159,670 versus $64,920 for judicial law clerks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Judicial Law Clerks typically train faster (7 years after high school) than lawyers (7 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects lawyers to grow +4.7% from 2025–35, compared with +2.8% for judicial law clerks.