A federal clerkship is one of the most prestigious and formative experiences a law school graduate can pursue. Acting as a direct assistant and confidant to a federal judge, a law clerk gains unparalleled insight into the judicial process, hones their legal research and writing skills, and builds a powerful professional network. While the career-launching prestige is undeniable, the compensation is also a critical factor for any aspiring legal professional.
So, what can you expect to earn as a federal law clerk? While salaries are standardized by the federal government, they are competitive and can be quite substantial, typically ranging from $72,000 to over $115,000 annually, with significant variations based on location, experience, and the specific court. This guide will break down the federal clerkship salary structure to give you a clear picture of your potential earnings.
What Does a Federal Law Clerk Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it’s important to understand the role. A federal law clerk is a full-time employee of the United States Courts who serves a judge for a term of one to two years. Their responsibilities are central to the function of a judge's chambers and include:
- Legal Research: Conducting in-depth research on complex legal issues pertinent to pending cases.
- Drafting Legal Documents: Writing bench memoranda, which analyze cases and recommend outcomes, and drafting judicial opinions and orders.
- Case Management: Assisting the judge in preparing for hearings, trials, and oral arguments by reviewing briefs and assembling case files.
- Advisory Role: Serving as a trusted advisor, discussing legal theories, and acting as a sounding board for the judge.
In essence, a clerkship is an intensive, post-graduate apprenticeship in the art of judging and legal analysis.
Average Federal Clerkship Salary
Unlike private sector jobs where salaries are negotiated, the pay for federal law clerks is determined by a government pay scale called the Judiciary Salary Plan (JSP). A clerk’s salary is based on a JSP grade level (from 1 to 17) and a step within that grade (from 1 to 10), which reflects years of service.
According to the official 2024 salary information from the United States Courts, most federal law clerks fall into the following grades:
- JSP-11: For clerks with a law degree but no post-graduate legal work experience. The starting salary at Step 1 is $72,553 per year.
- JSP-12: For clerks with at least one year of post-graduate legal experience or an advanced law degree (LL.M.). The starting salary at Step 1 is $86,962 per year.
- JSP-13: For clerks with at least two years of post-graduate legal experience. The starting salary at Step 1 is $103,409 per year.
While salary aggregators provide useful context, the JSP scale is the definitive source. For instance, Salary.com reports an average law clerk salary in the U.S. around $85,027, but this often blends state and federal data. For federal positions, always refer to the official JSP scale.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
The JSP grade provides a baseline, but your actual take-home pay is influenced by several crucial factors. Understanding these will help you project your earnings more accurately.
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Level of Education
For a federal clerkship, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school is the non-negotiable educational requirement. While the degree itself is the baseline, academic excellence—such as graduating with high honors, serving on Law Review, or excelling in moot court competitions—is critical for securing a clerkship, especially a more prestigious (and often higher-paying) appellate court position. Furthermore, earning a post-J.D. master of laws (LL.M.) can qualify you to start at a higher salary grade (JSP-12 instead of JSP-11).
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Years of Experience
This is the most direct factor in determining your starting JSP grade. The federal judiciary has clear guidelines:
- 0 Years of Experience: If you are hired directly out of law school, you will be appointed at the JSP-11 grade.
- 1+ Year of Experience: If you work as an attorney for at least one year before beginning your clerkship, you become eligible for appointment at the JSP-12 grade.
- 2+ Years of Experience: Clerks with two or more years of relevant legal work experience can be appointed at the JSP-13 grade.
This system rewards those who bring practical legal experience to the role, directly translating that experience into higher compensation.
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Geographic Location
Location is arguably the biggest variable in a federal clerk’s salary. The federal government uses a system of locality pay adjustments to account for different costs of living across the country. A percentage is added to the base JSP salary depending on the city or region where the court is located.
For example, consider a new law graduate starting at JSP-11, Step 1, with a base salary of $72,553 in 2024:
- In a lower-cost area like Kansas City, MO, with a 19.04% locality adjustment, the salary becomes approximately $86,366.
- In Washington, D.C., with a 33.26% locality adjustment, the salary increases to approximately $96,666.
- In the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA area, with a 44.15% locality adjustment, the salary jumps to approximately $104,583.
(Source: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2024 Salary Tables). This system ensures that a clerk’s purchasing power remains relatively stable, regardless of their posting.
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Type of Court
While all federal law clerks are paid on the JSP scale, the type of court can indirectly influence salary. Clerkships at the U.S. Courts of Appeals (circuit courts) are generally more competitive than those at U.S. District Courts (trial courts). Because of this competitiveness, circuit court judges often prefer to hire clerks who already have a year or more of legal experience, making JSP-12 or JSP-13 appointments more common at the appellate level. Therefore, while not a rule, clerks at higher courts often earn more because they tend to have more experience.
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Area of Specialization
The salary *during* the clerkship is not affected by specialization. However, the judge's area of focus can have a monumental impact on your post-clerkship earnings. Clerking for a judge in a district known for a specific type of litigation—such as the District of Delaware (corporate law), the Eastern District of Texas (patent law), or the Southern District of New York (financial and securities law)—makes you an extremely valuable candidate for law firms in those fields.
Many large law firms offer substantial clerkship bonuses to former federal clerks, which can range from $50,000 to well over $100,000, in addition to a higher starting salary. This "bonus" is a direct return on the specialized experience gained during your term.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of judicial law clerks is projected to decline slightly by 2 percent from 2022 to 2032. However, this statistic should be viewed with caution. The number of federal judgeships is relatively stable, meaning the number of available clerkship positions does not fluctuate dramatically year to year.
Competition for these roles is, and will remain, exceptionally high. Openings are limited and attract the top students from law schools across the country. The value of a clerkship, however, is not just in the job itself but in the career acceleration it provides, making it a highly sought-after position despite the limited number of openings.
Conclusion
A federal clerkship is more than just a job; it is a strategic career investment. While the salary is structured and predictable, it is both competitive and fair, with clear pathways to higher earnings based on your experience and geographic location.
Here are the key takeaways for anyone considering this path:
- Salary is Standardized: Your pay will be determined by the Judiciary Salary Plan (JSP), not negotiation.
- Experience and Location are Key: Your post-law school experience and the court's location are the primary drivers of your actual salary.
- Think Long-Term: The true financial value of a clerkship is realized in post-clerkship opportunities, including significant hiring bonuses and a higher starting salary in the private sector.
For those with a passion for the law and a desire to learn from the best, a federal clerkship offers an invaluable experience with a solid financial foundation. It is a challenging, rewarding, and financially sound step toward building an exceptional legal career.