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Job outlook for judicial assistants in the United States
Are judicial assistant jobs in demand?
Judicial assistant job and salary trends over time
Judicial assistant jobs over time
Judicial assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,559 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,546 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,549 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,476 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,401 | 0.00% |
Average judicial assistant salary over time
Judicial assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,511 | $21.88 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $44,496 | $21.39 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $43,808 | $21.06 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $43,352 | $20.84 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $42,570 | $20.47 | +1.4% |
Judicial assistant jobs by state
Most common states for judicial assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 132 | 19% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 19 | 3% |
| 3 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 319 | 2% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 113 | 2% |
| 5 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 28 | 2% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 13 | 2% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 12 | 2% |
| 8 | California | 39,536,653 | 353 | 1% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 168 | 1% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 127 | 1% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 127 | 1% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 98 | 1% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 92 | 1% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 84 | 1% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 84 | 1% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 80 | 1% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 80 | 1% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 70 | 1% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 16 | 1% |
| 20 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 12 | 1% |
Most common cities for judicial assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | 1 | 2% | $42,982 |
| 2 | Madera | 1 | 2% | $54,516 |
| 3 | Peoria | 1 | 1% | $43,546 |
| 4 | Provo | 1 | 1% | $44,492 |
| 5 | Salt Lake City | 1 | 1% | $44,655 |
| 6 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $39,390 |
| 7 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $55,309 |
Judicial Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of judicial assistant experts
University of Houston
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Iowa
Drake University
Faulkner University
Southern Illinois University
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Illinois State University
Indiana University Bloomington
University of Baltimore
What skills stand out on Judicial Assistant resumes?
Katherine Butler Brem: From the 30,000 foot view, the things that stand out on a new lawyer's resume are things that reflect work ethic and intellect. This is why lawyers, perhaps more than any other profession, are "credentials conscious." To an employer, GPA is important because it reflects both intellect and a good work ethic. Of course, where you go to law school is also important. But there are other things students can do to enhance these qualities of work ethic and intellect on their resumes. Journal work reflects a strong work ethic and is, typically, derivative of a student's GPA. Participating in moot court and mock trial also indicate strong work ethic and a student's willingness to think hard about difficult problems. Employers also appreciate things that reflect practical skills: judicial internships, summer clerkships, and other work experience, as well as clinic experience. Clinics offer a wealth of real-world experience. I always tell students that even if they don't intend to do work similar to the work they do in a clinic - immigration work, for example - the people skills they learn dealing with real-world clients are invaluable, and the knowledge they take away will be useful for a lifetime.
And if students have any unique characteristic that sets them apart from the average law student, definitely include that on your resume. If you were a fishing guide in the summers, for example, or a zip line instructor at a summer camp, include it. Our career counselors usually advise against including this sort of non-legal experience but, when I was in practice and interviewing law students, it was the first thing my colleagues and I looked for. A lot of resumes look more or less the same - making your resume memorable may move your resume to the top of a pile. On two occasions, students have told me this advice was very helpful. One was a ballerina for a professional company in Poland before emigrating to the United States and attending college and then law school. The other had an FFA scholarship in college that required her to castrate hogs as part of a work-study experience. Each told me they left these experiences on their resumes against Career Development's advice, yet it was all anyone ever asked about during interviews. And, interestingly, both were offered employment at firms that typically looked for students with better traditional qualifications.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Judicial Assistants?
Brian Kohlhepp: Largely, this would be acquiring a Master's degree. Many folks obtain this degree for an advancement at their current employer or in order to make themselves a more attractive candidate to the overall job field.
What soft skills should all Judicial Assistants possess?
Bram Elias: So much of legal work is research, analysis and writing - so any job that involves learning new things and synthesizing what you've learned into a written final product is helpful, especially if you have to get work done on tight deadlines. Journalism is great. Advocating on behalf of others is great. Policy advocacy, politics, non-profit work - all great. Doing something you care about. For folks who haven't had any exposure to lawyers in their life, it can be useful to have some time seeing what lawyers really do all day so you know what you're getting into - so working as a paralegal, an investigator for lawyers, a translator for lawyers, or for a court system - all great. Really, any job at all is great, as long as it's a job you care about and want to do well. And no job at all is fine too! The most important thing is knowing why you want to go to law school in the first place.
What soft skills should all Judicial Assistants possess?
Katie Atkinson Overberg: The pandemic has shown us how important it is to be a problem-solver, to be adaptable, and to be a team player. In addition, skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and resiliency will always add to a lawyer's talents.
What soft skills should all Judicial Assistants possess?
Bryan Morgan: As mentioned earlier, the Class of 2021 can adapt and are also resilient which should help them succeed in their legal careers.
What soft skills should all Judicial Assistants possess?
Jennifer Brobst: Two soft skills come to mind immediately: kindness and self-restraint. I have noticed that this generation of new attorneys is less accustomed to taking conflict in stride. What I mean is that in a social media world, one can overreact without facing the other person or simply walk away without responding to a text or post that seems confrontational or disrespectful. In person, there is usually no way to walk away without making the situation worse, so we get better and better at figuring out how to respond with kindness, humor, and patience. That is an excellent skill to have with clients who naturally feel stressed, or with overworked or overzealous opposing counsel or judges.
As to self-restraint, many ethics violations occur among attorneys who feel overwhelmed by their workload. Law school is the best place to learn how to figure out how to manage one's time, and to learn self-restraint -- i.e., when to stop and move on to the next task. This quality of self-restraint will not only help to make sure that new attorneys are reliable on behalf of their clients, but that they are happy with their job for the long-haul. There will always be more clients, but an attorney who knows their limits, but still gets the job done, will be glad to be an attorney throughout their career.
Jason Cieslik
Assistant Professor & Academic Advisor of Legal StudiesIllinois State University
Department of Politics & Government
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Judicial Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Jason Cieslik: In terms of trends in specific areas of law, it is expected that the legal field will see an increase in workload in labor and employment, family law, healthcare, bankruptcy, and estate planning. Some general practitioners have been able to sustain a healthy workload where there has been a decrease in one area of law, but an increase in others due to the pandemic, such as family law and bankruptcy.
Since the pandemic began, we are seeing firms realize that much of the workload can be conducted remotely. Thus, firms are downsizing their workspaces and opting for smaller offices. This has allowed some firms to save money on physical space and hire additional personnel. However, some firms are asking their employees to work from the office, at least some days during the week. This requires some legal navigation with employee's health and safety concerns. Thus, management must have a social distancing policy in place, as well as taking into account privacy concerns of each employee.
Obviously, hiring practices have changed dramatically since the pandemic. Traditionally, interviews would take place in-person. However, most interviews are taking place via Zoom or some other interactive online format. Both firms and those seeking jobs in the legal field have had to adjust their advertising and job search methods due to the pandemic. In-person networking is not feasible. Thus, paralegals and attorneys seeking work have been advised to join professional organizations that meet online for the purpose of networking and sharing information. Jobs are available, but employers and future employees need to be creative and adjust to this alternative format of networking. Those seeking work need to be flexible, diligent in their search, and aggressive in following up with leads.
Eric Sader
Lecturer, Kelley School of BusinessIndiana University Bloomington
Department of Business Law & Ethics
What type of skills will young Judicial Assistants need?
Eric Sader: The emphasis on high-level interpersonal skills is expected to continue. More than ever, graduates need to expect the unexpected in a turbulent and changing world. Those employees who best have exemplified leadership, active listening, patience, flexibility, and responsibility during recent months are assuredly ones management will look to for future promotions and advancement opportunities. Absolutely, technology is more important than ever, but what is it about personalities that we often see as "tech-savvy"? Sure, it helps to have grown up in the Internet age, but more broadly these personalities are often those who crave learning and new experiences, who are willing and eager to adapt to new modalities. And these traits are not limited to students of any age, with rewards far beyond the keyboard.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Judicial Assistants to find work opportunities?
Roger Hartley Ph.D.: The work shortage and the need for federal, local, and state government are high all over the nation. The concern now is if budget pressures delay the ability to hire.