What Court, Municipal, and License Clerks do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Court, Municipal, and License Clerks this way: "Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Evaluate information on applications to verify completeness and accuracy and to determine whether applicants are qualified to obtain desired licenses"; "Verify the authenticity of documents, such as foreign identification or immigration documents"; "Record and edit the minutes of meetings and distribute to appropriate officials or staff members"; "Question applicants to obtain required information, such as name, address, or age, and record data on prescribed forms"; "Issue public notification of all official activities or meetings".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is long-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 187,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 193,300 in 2035, an increase of 6,300 jobs (+3.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 17,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,700, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Court, Municipal, and License Clerks earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,222 in New York to $56,758 in New Jersey, a gap of $1,536 (1.03 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $48,700 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 15,320, which is 53.5% of the 28,650 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 13,330.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($56,758) and New York ($55,222) lead the ranking, while New York ($55,222) and New Jersey ($56,758) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (43-4000) include Brokerage Clerks, Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs, Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping and Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan.
Frequently asked questions about Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
How much do Court, Municipal, and License Clerks earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,700. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,222 to $56,758.
Which state pays Court, Municipal, and License Clerks the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $56,758. New York is next at $55,222.
Is Court, Municipal, and License Clerks a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 17,100 openings a year.
What education do Court, Municipal, and License Clerks need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.