Judicial Law Clerk salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Judicial Law Clerks in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $63,140 a year ($30.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,730 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $64,920. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $64,260. There are 0.08 judicial law clerks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for judicial law clerks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,210 | $26.55 |
| 25th percentile | $57,810 | $27.80 |
| Median | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| 75th percentile | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,730 | $52.28 |
| Average (mean) | $71,100 | $34.18 |
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 | $5,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,630.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,428.46 |
| Weekly | $1,214.23 |
| Hourly | $30.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judicial Law Clerk salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $44,640 | 60 |
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 |
See Judicial Law Clerk pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $134,560 | $64.69 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $147,510 | $70.92 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $127,480 | $61.29 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $44,470 | $21.38 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for judicial law clerks in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $63,140 a year, or $30.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judicial law clerks make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of judicial law clerks in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $108,730 a year. The top 25% earn $65,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for judicial law clerks in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,210 a year, and a quarter of judicial law clerks earn $57,810 or less.
How many judicial law clerks work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 30 judicial law clerks are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.