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All About Court Clerks
Court Clerk Definition Perform clerical duties in court of law; prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges; and contact witnesses, attorneys, and litigants to obtain information for court.
Daily Life Of a Court Clerk
- Meet with judges, lawyers, parole officers, police, or social agency officials to coordinate the functions of the court.
- Explain procedures or forms to parties in cases or to the general public.
- Record case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees.
- Amend indictments when necessary and endorse indictments with pertinent information.
- Examine legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws or court procedures.
- Prepare documents recording the outcomes of court proceedings.
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What Every Court Clerk Should Know
Court Clerks state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Court Clerk Jobs
- Probation Clerk
- Deputy Felony Clerk
- Court Crier
- Circuit Clerk
- District Clerk
What Kind of Court Clerk Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 135,500 jobs in the United States for Court Clerk. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,700 new jobs for Court Clerk by 2026. The BLS estimates 12,600 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Court Clerk are Vermont, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, Alaska, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Court Clerk
The salary for Court Clerks ranges between about $25,150 and $60,330 a year.
Court Clerks who work in Washington, New York, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Court Clerks make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $31,820 |
| Alaska | $52,680 |
| Arizona | $39,060 |
| Arkansas | $30,970 |
| California | $51,550 |
| Colorado | $41,470 |
| Connecticut | $51,350 |
| Delaware | $34,880 |
| Florida | $38,720 |
| Georgia | $35,360 |
| Hawaii | $45,480 |
| Idaho | $37,850 |
| Illinois | $42,830 |
| Indiana | $33,730 |
| Iowa | $42,690 |
| Kansas | $34,500 |
| Kentucky | $32,250 |
| Louisiana | $33,090 |
| Maine | $37,550 |
| Maryland | $43,530 |
| Massachusetts | $48,840 |
| Michigan | $38,640 |
| Minnesota | $45,250 |
| Mississippi | $32,570 |
| Missouri | $33,240 |
| Montana | $33,710 |
| Nebraska | $38,860 |
| Nevada | $46,820 |
| New Hampshire | $40,030 |
| New Jersey | $49,060 |
| New Mexico | $38,260 |
| New York | $56,890 |
| North Carolina | $36,160 |
| North Dakota | $42,930 |
| Ohio | $37,840 |
| Oklahoma | $30,970 |
| Oregon | $44,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,400 |
| Rhode Island | $49,540 |
| South Carolina | $34,760 |
| South Dakota | $32,880 |
| Tennessee | $37,600 |
| Texas | $37,590 |
| Utah | $38,940 |
| Vermont | $43,690 |
| Virginia | $39,650 |
| Washington | $50,590 |
| West Virginia | $36,190 |
| Wisconsin | $43,150 |
| Wyoming | $39,310 |
What Tools & Technology do Court Clerks Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Court Clerks:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- IBM Notes
- LexisNexis
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Thomson Reuters Westlaw
- Syscon Court Clerk
How to Become a Court Clerk
What education is needed to be a Court Clerk?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Court Clerk?
Court Clerks Sector
Court Clerks work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Court Clerk might also be interested in the following careers:
- Office Clerks, General
- Word Processors and Typists
- Gaming Cage Workers
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Those who work as a Court Clerk sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.