Judicial Law Clerk Salary in New York (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Judicial Law Clerks in New York, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$133,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+105% vs US median
US median $64,920
State Rank
#2 of 39
850 employed here

How much does a Judicial Law Clerk make in New York?

Judicial Law Clerks in New York take home a median of $133,320 annually — roughly $64.10 an hour — which runs 105% above the national median of $64,920.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $82,190 while the top 10% make $171,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,730 and $163,650 a year.

Judicial Law Clerk salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$82,190$39.51
25th percentile (early career)$86,730$41.70
50th percentile (median)$133,320$64.10
75th percentile (experienced)$163,650$78.68
90th percentile (top earners)$171,870$82.63

How New York compares

New York ranks 2nd out of 39 states and territories for Judicial Law Clerk pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$143,350
2New York$133,320
3Connecticut$98,670
4Oregon$86,870
5North Dakota$85,530

Working as a Judicial Law Clerk in New York

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 New York pay ($133,320) 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 New York?
The median Judicial Law Clerk salary in New York is $133,320 per year, or about $64.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $82,190 at the entry level to $171,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Judicial Law Clerks about 105% more than the national median of $64,920. New York ranks 2nd out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Judicial Law Clerks?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $133,320 a year. About 850 Judicial Law Clerks are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.