Court, Municipal, and License Clerks Salary
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks earn a median $48,700 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
What court, municipal, and license clerks do
Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees. Clerks of Court are classified in "Managers, All Other" (11-9199).
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 17,100
Employment of court, municipal, and license clerks is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 17,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,664
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,019
- Medicare (1.45%)$706
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,310
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,300 | $17.45 | $31,347 |
| 25th percentile | $40,810 | $19.62 | $34,971 |
| Median (50th) | $48,700 | $23.41 | $41,310 |
| 75th percentile | $60,840 | $29.25 | $51,065 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,820 | $35.49 | $60,762 |
Best cities for court, municipal, and license clerks (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $62,850 | $49,757 | $45,959 | 2,580 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $64,610 | $51,298 | $45,170 | 2,390 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $57,180 | $45,759 | $43,654 | 3,100 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $48,930 | $41,495 | $42,072 | 3,030 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $59,320 | $47,237 | $41,965 | 9,340 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $49,030 | $41,576 | $40,329 | 2,840 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $49,550 | $40,472 | $39,464 | 2,480 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $51,110 | $41,706 | $39,427 | 3,600 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $47,080 | $38,188 | $38,166 | 2,430 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $48,560 | $38,939 | $37,588 | 4,590 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $48,940 | $41,503 | $36,357 | 3,350 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $64,610
- Boston, MA — $62,850
- New York, NY — $59,320
- Minneapolis, MN — $57,180
- Denver, CO — $51,110
- Philadelphia, PA — $49,550
- Dallas, TX — $49,030
- Miami, FL — $48,940
- Houston, TX — $48,930
- Chicago, IL — $48,560
- Atlanta, GA — $47,080
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $66,130 | — | $52,464 | $50,720 – $95,000 | 50 |
| Washington | $64,680 | +3.6% | $54,150 | $49,970 – $80,720 | 3,450 |
| California | $63,320 | +1.5% | $50,381 | $49,110 – $84,190 | 12,460 |
| Massachusetts | $61,730 | +3.0% | $48,914 | $47,860 – $84,390 | 4,360 |
| Rhode Island | $61,670 | +5.3% | $50,036 | $48,780 – $82,050 | 660 |
| Oregon | $61,300 | +4.3% | $46,900 | $47,520 – $78,790 | 1,820 |
| Connecticut | $60,480 | −0.2% | $48,979 | $43,670 – $78,120 | 1,300 |
| Maryland | $58,380 | +3.4% | $46,679 | $49,810 – $71,850 | 2,360 |
| Nevada | $56,680 | +2.3% | $47,722 | $42,790 – $77,760 | 1,250 |
| Minnesota | $56,520 | +2.2% | $45,274 | $46,340 – $75,950 | 5,360 |
| Alaska | $54,270 | −3.0% | $45,786 | $36,810 – $78,580 | 650 |
| North Dakota | $53,850 | +3.2% | $45,448 | $38,790 – $74,790 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $53,700 | +3.5% | $43,909 | $40,000 – $74,770 | 5,710 |
| New York | $53,500 | −1.3% | $42,875 | $39,740 – $97,120 | 11,850 |
| Vermont | $53,000 | +7.9% | $43,424 | $44,350 – $70,460 | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $51,920 | −3.0% | $42,394 | $44,100 – $75,390 | 1,240 |
| Hawaii | $51,890 | −1.3% | $41,454 | $43,630 – $72,360 | 510 |
| Utah | $51,130 | +8.0% | $41,928 | $39,230 – $77,240 | 1,280 |
| Colorado | $50,410 | −0.2% | $41,175 | $34,950 – $68,900 | 7,920 |
| North Carolina | $49,110 | +2.0% | $40,189 | $37,290 – $71,400 | 5,240 |
| Arizona | $48,700 | +3.4% | $40,302 | $39,870 – $61,770 | 3,560 |
| Michigan | $48,690 | +3.1% | $39,484 | $36,750 – $63,000 | 5,620 |
| Maine | $48,580 | +1.0% | $39,117 | $40,910 – $64,450 | 1,150 |
| Idaho | $48,450 | +1.6% | $39,650 | $37,900 – $63,500 | 1,500 |
| Nebraska | $48,420 | −4.8% | $39,762 | $43,150 – $75,010 | 1,210 |
| Iowa | $48,280 | −0.9% | $39,790 | $37,790 – $63,610 | 2,390 |
| Ohio | $48,030 | +2.4% | $40,234 | $34,450 – $73,230 | 9,550 |
| Florida | $47,100 | +2.8% | $40,025 | $36,950 – $61,880 | 11,180 |
| New Mexico | $46,960 | +4.3% | $38,860 | $38,230 – $57,970 | 1,040 |
| Illinois | $46,920 | +0.9% | $37,702 | $35,450 – $75,230 | 8,370 |
| New Hampshire | $46,590 | −2.0% | $39,615 | $36,830 – $71,700 | 550 |
| Texas | $46,580 | +1.2% | $39,607 | $36,220 – $60,120 | 15,730 |
| Louisiana | $46,570 | +5.6% | $38,588 | $32,060 – $65,300 | 2,900 |
| Wyoming | $46,540 | −1.1% | $39,575 | $38,260 – $65,740 | 770 |
| Indiana | $46,350 | +2.2% | $38,084 | $31,900 – $60,570 | 3,460 |
| Montana | $45,680 | +2.7% | $37,494 | $37,030 – $60,090 | 1,340 |
| Virginia | $45,650 | +7.1% | $37,049 | $40,410 – $61,450 | 4,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,830 | −3.6% | $36,825 | $35,440 – $67,490 | 3,320 |
| Kansas | $44,740 | +7.1% | $36,432 | $36,260 – $59,860 | 1,290 |
| Tennessee | $44,720 | −0.4% | $38,113 | $32,880 – $60,690 | 3,050 |
| Delaware | $44,600 | +12.2% | $36,218 | $35,620 – $53,610 | 980 |
| South Dakota | $43,850 | +4.1% | $37,413 | $34,490 – $58,260 | 920 |
| Kentucky | $43,680 | +3.6% | $35,866 | $34,830 – $54,640 | 2,370 |
| South Carolina | $43,460 | +7.3% | $35,650 | $30,050 – $64,760 | 2,020 |
| Georgia | $42,960 | +5.3% | $35,092 | $34,010 – $60,740 | 5,750 |
| Missouri | $41,020 | +3.2% | $34,149 | $33,970 – $60,530 | 4,760 |
| Oklahoma | $39,120 | +4.9% | $32,398 | $29,260 – $60,390 | 2,730 |
| Alabama | $38,360 | +0.6% | $31,349 | $29,140 – $57,130 | 2,050 |
| West Virginia | $37,810 | +4.7% | $31,534 | $28,580 – $50,370 | 1,590 |
| Mississippi | $37,210 | +3.2% | $31,322 | $29,510 – $59,850 | 2,950 |
| Arkansas | $36,960 | +1.3% | $30,649 | $28,410 – $50,600 | 2,090 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information and Record Clerks, All Other | $49,500 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| New Accounts Clerk | $47,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.5% |
| Loan Interviewer and Clerk | $50,020 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.4% |
| Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks | $50,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.4% |
| Correspondence Clerk | $46,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 | Associate's degree | -6.2% |
| Order Clerk | $46,170 | Some college, no degree | -17.5% |
| Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | $45,920 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.3% |
| Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk | $44,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a court, municipal, and license clerks make?
The national median salary for court, municipal, and license clerks is $48,700 a year ($23.41 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,300 and the top 10% earn over $73,820. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays court, municipal, and license clerks the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $66,130. After taxes and local prices, Boston, MA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many court, municipal, and license clerks are there in the U.S.?
About 179,750 people work as court, municipal, and license clerks nationwide.