Judicial Law Clerk salary in Massachusetts
Judicial Law Clerks in Massachusetts earn a median of $143,350 a year ($68.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,350 for the top 10%. That is 121% higher than the national median of $64,920. Massachusetts ranks 1st of 39 states for judicial law clerks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.14 judicial law clerks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $132,380, close to the median.
Pay range for judicial law clerks in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,210 | $39.53 |
| 25th percentile | $143,350 | $68.92 |
| Median | $143,350 | $68.92 |
| 75th percentile | $143,350 | $68.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,350 | $68.92 |
| Average (mean) | $132,380 | $63.64 |
Half of judicial law clerks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $11,945.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,972.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,513.46 |
| Weekly | $2,756.73 |
| Hourly | $68.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Judicial Law Clerk salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $143,350 | 380 |
| Springfield, MA | $143,350 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for judicial law clerks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $143,350 |
| New York | $133,320 |
| Connecticut | $98,670 |
| Oregon | $86,870 |
| North Dakota | $85,530 |
| Washington | $80,240 |
| Arkansas | $80,150 |
| California | $79,030 |
| Idaho | $75,540 |
| Tennessee | $75,190 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $176,680 | $84.94 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $221,710 | $106.59 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $113,750 | $54.69 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $69,100 | $33.22 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a judicial law clerk make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for judicial law clerks in Massachusetts is $143,350 a year, or $68.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judicial law clerks make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of judicial law clerks in Massachusetts earn at least $143,350 a year. The top 25% earn $143,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for judicial law clerks in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,210 a year, and a quarter of judicial law clerks earn $143,350 or less.
How many judicial law clerks work in Massachusetts?
About 500 judicial law clerks are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.