Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

O*NET 43-4031.00 · SOC 43-4031

Court is a risky career choice. Median pay is $49k a year with +3.4% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 17,100 openings a year. AI exposure: High.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+3.4%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$49k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
17k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Process applications for business licenses and permits
  • →Record and file court documents such as motions and judgments
  • →Collect fees for licenses, permits, and court filings
  • →Issue marriage, birth, and other official certificates to applicants
  • →Respond to public inquiries about court schedules and procedures

Education & How to Get In

🎓
Job Zone 2
Some preparation needed (high school or short training)

Court roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths, you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.

See 50+ more jobs without a degree, ranked by growth →

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a Court? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
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Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
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Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
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LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
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Work Environment

Primary Setting

Structured, offices, data centers, or remote

Work Style

Independent, focused deep work with periodic team check-ins

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Court involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningProcess applications for business licenses and permits
MiddayRecord and file court documents such as motions and judgments
AfternoonCollect fees for licenses, permits, and court filings

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Conventional (Organizers)6.2
Enterprising (Persuaders)4.2
Social (Helpers)3.5
Realistic (Doers)2.0
Investigative (Thinkers)1.9
Artistic (Creators)1.1

Who Thrives as Court?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

ESTJThe OrganizerESFJThe ProviderISTJThe InspectorENTJThe Captain

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open Court Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

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Job Outlook

Employment of Court, Municipal, and License Clerks is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.

Will AI Replace This Job?

66/100High disruption risk
  • ·57% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
  • ·36% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
  • ·Industry sector with high AI adoption trajectory

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a Court make?

The median Court earns $49k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace Court jobs?

Our model puts Court at 66 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is high disruption risk. The main drivers: 57% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 36% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.

Is Court a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 3.4% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 17,100 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a Court?

Most Court roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.

How long does it take to become a Court?

Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a Court career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

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