A federal law clerkship is one of the most prestigious and formative experiences a recent law school graduate can undertake. It’s a career-launching role that offers unparalleled mentorship and a behind-the-scenes look at the judicial process. But beyond the invaluable experience, what can you expect to earn?
While the compensation for a federal law clerk is structured and transparent, it's not a simple, single number. Salaries can range from approximately $70,000 to well over $100,000 per year, depending on a clear set of factors. This guide will break down the federal law clerk salary, explain the key variables that influence your pay, and explore the long-term value of this esteemed position.
What Does a Federal Law Clerk Do?
A federal law clerk is a lawyer who serves as a legal assistant and advisor to a federal judge. Often referred to as a judge's "right-hand," a clerk's responsibilities are both intellectually demanding and critical to the functioning of the court. Key duties include:
- Legal Research: Diving deep into statutes, case law, and legal precedent to analyze the issues in pending cases.
- Writing and Drafting: Preparing bench memoranda summarizing cases, drafting judicial opinions, and writing orders on motions.
- Case Management: Helping the judge manage their docket, prepare for oral arguments, and stay organized.
- Advising the Judge: Acting as a trusted sounding board, discussing legal theories, and providing recommendations on case dispositions.
This one-to-two-year position provides an intensive post-graduate education in legal reasoning, writing, and procedure, directly under the tutelage of an experienced judge.
Average Federal Law Clerk Salary
Unlike private sector jobs, federal law clerk salaries are not determined by market negotiations. Instead, they are set by the federal government's Judiciary Salary Plan (JSP). This pay scale is graded, with clerks typically entering at a JS-11, JS-12, or JS-13 level.
According to the official 2024 Judiciary Salary Plan published by the United States Courts, the base salary ranges are as follows:
- JS-11: $72,553 per year
- JS-12: $86,962 per year
- JS-13: $103,409 per year
While the JSP sets the base pay, user-reported data from salary aggregators often reflects the impact of locality pay (more on that below). For instance:
- Salary.com places the average federal law clerk salary in the United States at around $88,623, with a typical range falling between $79,279 and $98,599.
- Glassdoor reports a total pay average of approximately $87,000 per year, which includes base pay and potential additional compensation.
The definitive source for a clerk's base salary is always the official Judiciary Salary Plan. The variations you see on other sites are primarily due to the powerful influence of the factors below.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your precise salary as a federal law clerk is determined by a combination of your qualifications, location, and the specific court you serve.
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Level of Education
A Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school is the mandatory educational requirement for a federal law clerk. However, academic performance is a critical factor that determines eligibility and, indirectly, starting salary. Top-tier credentials—such as high grades, graduating with honors, and membership on the school's primary law review or moot court team—are often prerequisites for securing a clerkship.
While these achievements don't add a "bonus" to your salary, they are often required to qualify for a higher starting grade on the JSP scale. For example, some judges may require law review experience to be considered for a JS-12 position straight out of law school.
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Years of Experience
Experience is the most direct factor influencing a clerk's starting grade within the Judiciary Salary Plan. The federal judiciary has clear guidelines:
- JS-11: This is the typical starting grade for a law school graduate with a J.D. and strong academic standing.
- JS-12: To qualify for this grade, a candidate generally needs at least one year of full-time legal work experience post-J.D. Alternatively, exceptional academic achievements (like being in the top 10% of your class or serving as a primary editor on the law review) can qualify a new graduate for a JS-12 position.
- JS-13: This level typically requires two years of post-J.D. legal experience.
Therefore, a lawyer who practices for a year or two before applying for a clerkship will earn a significantly higher salary than a recent graduate.
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Geographic Location
Geographic location is arguably the biggest variable in a federal clerk's take-home pay. The base JSP salary is adjusted upward based on the local cost of living through a system called "locality pay." These adjustments are set by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and can result in a substantial salary increase.
For example, let's compare the 2024 salary for a JS-12 clerk in two different locations:
- Base Salary (Rest of U.S.): $86,962
- New York City Locality Pay Area (+37.24%): Approximately $119,350
- San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Locality Pay Area (+45.41%): Approximately $126,450
Clerking in a major metropolitan area with a high cost of living will always result in a much higher salary than clerking in a region that falls under the "Rest of U.S." locality pay table.
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Company Type
For a federal law clerk, the "company" is the federal judiciary itself. However, the *type of court* you clerk in can be a distinguishing factor. Clerkships are available in:
- U.S. District Courts (Trial Courts): Clerks here are exposed to a wide variety of civil and criminal matters, from initial filings to trials.
- U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals: Clerks focus exclusively on appellate issues, engaging in deep legal analysis of trial court records and writing opinions that shape precedent.
- Specialized Federal Courts: These include the U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Tax Court, or U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.
- Supreme Court of the United States: The pinnacle of all clerkships, these are exceptionally rare and reserved for the absolute top graduates, often after they have completed a Circuit Court clerkship.
While the JSP pay scale applies across these courts, a clerkship at a higher or more specialized court (like a Circuit Court or the Supreme Court) carries immense prestige that dramatically increases a lawyer's future earning potential and career opportunities.
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Area of Specialization
During the clerkship itself, your salary is not determined by an area of legal specialization. You are a generalist working for a judge. However, clerking for a judge who presides over a specialized docket—such as a bankruptcy judge or a magistrate judge handling intellectual property disputes—provides you with deep, practical experience in that field. This specialization is not compensated with a higher salary during the clerkship, but it makes you an extremely valuable and highly paid candidate for law firms in that practice area upon completion.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes law clerks in the broader category of "Court, Municipal, and License Clerks." The BLS projects a slight decline of 2% for this category from 2022 to 2032.
However, this broad statistic does not capture the reality of federal clerkships. These positions are not driven by general labor market growth; they are a small, fixed number of highly coveted roles. The competition is incredibly intense and will remain so. The demand from top law students for these positions far outstrips the available supply, ensuring that a federal clerkship remains one of the most distinguished credentials a lawyer can obtain.
Conclusion
A federal law clerkship is a short-term commitment with lifelong career benefits. While the salary is a significant draw—offering a comfortable living wage that is highly competitive for an entry-level public service role—its true value cannot be measured in dollars alone.
Here are the key takeaways for anyone considering this path:
- Salary is Structured: Your pay is determined by the federal Judiciary Salary Plan (JSP), not negotiation.
- Experience and Location Drive Pay: Your years of post-J.D. experience and the locality pay of your court's city are the primary drivers of your annual salary.
- Prestige is Paramount: The mentorship, experience, and professional network gained from a federal clerkship are invaluable assets that will significantly boost your future earning potential and open doors to elite opportunities in law firms, government, and academia.
For aspiring lawyers, a federal clerkship is more than just a job—it's a transformative investment in your professional future.