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Salary comparison

Judicial Law Clerks vs. Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Who Earns More?

Judicial Law Clerkss out-earn Paralegals and Legal Assistantss by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Judicial Law Clerkss land at $64,920 and Paralegals and Legal Assistantss at $62,890. The education gap is real: judicial law clerk programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while paralegals and legal assistant programs require associate's degree. Top-paying state for Judicial Law Clerkss is Massachusetts ($143,350); for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss it's District of Columbia ($89,750).

Judicial Law Clerks
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median salary
$64,920
$62,890
Hourly rate
$31.21/hr
$30.24/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,180
$44,740
Senior level (90th %)
$113,140
$101,500
Education required
Doctoral or professional degree
Associate's degree
U.S. employment
13,290
392,880
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Legal
Legal
Top-paying state
Massachusetts
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Judicial Law Clerks median pay.

State
Judicial Law Clerks
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Massachusetts
$143,350
$77,640
New York
$133,320
$68,410
Connecticut
$98,670
$63,820
Washington
$80,240
$79,400
California
$79,030
$77,390
Minnesota
$71,070
$75,570
Maryland
$70,110
$65,640
Nevada
$69,600
$64,680
Alaska
$67,580
$68,700
Colorado
$67,230
$78,190
Virginia
$65,940
$63,990
New Jersey
$58,890
$71,500
Utah
$51,900
$63,220
Pennsylvania
$50,590
$63,370
Nebraska
$49,570
$63,250

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Judicial Law Clerkss or Paralegals and Legal Assistantss?

Judicial Law Clerkss earn more nationally. The median is $64,920 for Judicial Law Clerkss versus $62,890 for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Judicial Law Clerks or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Judicial Law Clerks or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?

Judicial Law Clerks typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Paralegals and Legal Assistants requires associate's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Judicial Law Clerkss get paid the most?

Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Judicial Law Clerkss at $143,350/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Judicial Law Clerks vs. Paralegals and Legal Assistants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Judicial Law Clerkss earn $143,350 vs. $77,640 for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Judicial Law Clerks salary breakdownView →Full Paralegals and Legal Assistants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Judicial Law Clerkss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Paralegals and Legal Assistantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a judicial law clerksGuide →How to become a paralegals and legal assistantsGuide →