California Median
$79,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $64,920
State Rank
#8 of 39
1,800 employed here
How much does a Judicial Law Clerk make in California?
Judicial Law Clerks in California take home a median of $79,030 annually — roughly $38.00 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $64,920.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $59,620 while the top 10% make $90,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,740 and $82,200 a year.
Judicial Law Clerk salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,620 | $28.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,740 | $31.61 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,030 | $38.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $82,200 | $39.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,680 | $43.60 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 8th out of 39 states and territories for Judicial Law Clerk pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Judicial Law Clerk salary in other states
Massachusetts $143,350New York $133,320Connecticut $98,670Oregon $86,870North Dakota $85,530Washington $80,240Arkansas $80,150Idaho $75,540Tennessee $75,190Minnesota $71,070Maryland $70,110Nevada $69,600Maine $67,890Alaska $67,580Colorado $67,230Missouri $66,060Virginia $65,940Delaware $64,720Iowa $64,260Louisiana $63,180Texas $63,130Michigan $62,260Arizona $60,170New Jersey $58,890Indiana $57,140Florida $55,180Georgia $55,120Wisconsin $54,250West Virginia $52,120Utah $51,900Pennsylvania $50,590South Carolina $50,330Ohio $49,840Nebraska $49,570Montana $47,320Hawaii $47,010Kansas $45,720Oklahoma $44,990
Working as a Judicial Law Clerk in California
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Judicial Law Clerks in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($79,030) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Judicial Law Clerk make in California?
The median Judicial Law Clerk salary in California is $79,030 per year, or about $38.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,620 at the entry level to $90,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Judicial Law Clerks about 22% more than the national median of $64,920. California ranks 8th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Judicial Law Clerks?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,030 a year. About 1,800 Judicial Law Clerks are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Judicial Law Clerk salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.