All About Court Clerks
Job Description: 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.
What Do Court Clerks Do On a Daily Basis?
- Open courts, calling them to order, and announcing judges.
- Prepare dockets or calendars of cases to be called, using typewriters or computers.
- Conduct roll calls and poll jurors.
- Search files and contact witnesses, attorneys, or litigants to obtain information for the court.
- Prepare courtrooms with paper, pens, water, easels, or electronic equipment and ensure that recording equipment is working.
- Collect court fees or fines and record amounts collected.
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Qualities of a Court Clerk
These are the skills Court Clerks say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Courtroom Deputy or Calendar Clerk
- Minute Clerk for Basic Traffic
- Chief Deputy Court Clerk
- Senior Courtroom Clerk
- Civil Clerk
Are There Job Opportunities for Court Clerks?
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. There will be an estimated 12,600 positions for Court Clerk per year.

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.
Average Court Clerks Salary
The average yearly salary of a Court Clerk ranges between $25,150 and $60,330.

Court Clerks who work in Washington, New York, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Court Clerks in different U.S. states.
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 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 do I Become a Court Clerk?
What education is needed to be a Court Clerk?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Court Clerks Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Court Clerks work:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Court Clerk may also be interested in:
- 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.
Featured Schools
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