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The average City Clerk salary stands at $58,166 per year, with variations based on numerous factors. These include experience level, geographical location, and the specific duties associated with the position. For example, entry-level clerks may start at lower annual salaries, while those with several years of experience can command significantly higher wages.
Experience plays a key role in salary determination. A City Clerk with five years of experience typically earns around $65,000, while those with over ten years can earn upwards of $75,000. This tiered salary structure reflects the increasing responsibilities and expertise gained throughout one’s career.
Location also influences salary potential. States like California and New York feature some of the highest salaries for City Clerks, often exceeding the national average. In contrast, smaller states may offer lower average salaries but can provide a lower cost of living.
For those considering a career in this field, understanding these dynamics is crucial. Explore opportunities tailored to your qualifications and be proactive about pursuing positions that align with your salary expectations.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level city clerk | $49,500 | $23.79 |
| Mid-level city clerk | $54,400 | $26.16 |
| Senior-level city clerk | $69,800 | $33.54 |
The average city clerk salary in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average city clerk salary states are Indiana, Idaho, and North Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $78,394 | $37.69 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $80,734 | $38.81 |
| 3 | New York | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $77,186 | $37.11 |
| 5 | Delaware | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| 6 | Kansas | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| 7 | Ohio | $73,328 | $35.25 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $71,491 | $34.37 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $77,058 | $37.05 |
| 10 | California | $75,500 | $36.30 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $81,163 | $39.02 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $69,994 | $33.65 |
| 13 | Vermont | $74,244 | $35.69 |
| 14 | Illinois | $75,074 | $36.09 |
| 15 | Iowa | $73,587 | $35.38 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $73,255 | $35.22 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $75,588 | $36.34 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $76,572 | $36.81 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $69,846 | $33.58 |
| 20 | Maryland | $76,139 | $36.61 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $69,333 | $33.33 |
| 22 | Alaska | $67,597 | $32.50 |
| 23 | Oregon | $75,694 | $36.39 |
| 24 | Arkansas | $69,872 | $33.59 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $69,135 | $33.24 |
| 26 | Georgia | $69,832 | $33.57 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $75,916 | $36.50 |
| 28 | Alabama | $69,114 | $33.23 |
| 29 | Florida | $66,309 | $31.88 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| 31 | Montana | $70,444 | $33.87 |
| 32 | Texas | $66,829 | $32.13 |
| 33 | Colorado | $68,012 | $32.70 |
| 34 | Missouri | $62,754 | $30.17 |
| 35 | Utah | $63,285 | $30.43 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $67,415 | $32.41 |
| 37 | Nevada | $68,238 | $32.81 |
| 38 | Indiana | $58,431 | $28.09 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $65,380 | $31.43 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $59,325 | $28.52 |
| 41 | Washington | $59,177 | $28.45 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $63,559 | $30.56 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $58,703 | $28.22 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $59,404 | $28.56 |
| 45 | Idaho | $58,262 | $28.01 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $57,889 | $27.83 |
| 47 | Wyoming | $56,702 | $27.26 |
| 48 | Virginia | $61,422 | $29.53 |
| 49 | Maine | $60,418 | $29.05 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $52,704 | $25.34 |
| 51 | Arizona | $53,623 | $25.78 |
The highest-paying cities for city clerks are Lodi, CA, Ames, IA, and Reno, NV.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lodi, CA | $79,031 | $38.00 |
| 2 | Ames, IA | $73,526 | $35.35 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $70,634 | $33.96 |
| 4 | Johns Creek, GA | $70,561 | $33.92 |
| 5 | Oklahoma City, OK | $69,109 | $33.23 |
| 6 | Broomfield, CO | $68,085 | $32.73 |
| 7 | League City, TX | $66,316 | $31.88 |
| 8 | Richmond, VA | $61,364 | $29.50 |
| 9 | Wausau, WI | $59,844 | $28.77 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $53,782 | $25.86 |
A city clerk's salary ranges from $42,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $80,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $6,667 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| Average | $58,166 | $4,847 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 10th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
The highest paying types of city clerks are deputy city clerk, municipal clerk, and city recorder.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll Clerk | $41,602 | $3,467 | $20.00 | 71,944 |
| Clerk | $31,163 | $2,597 | $14.98 | 80,311 |
| Deputy Clerk | $37,898 | $3,158 | $18.22 | 98,637 |
Top companies hiring city clerks now:
City clerk salaries at Icma-rc and City of Reno are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average city clerk salary at companies like Minnesota Limited and City of Richmond are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icma-rc | $94,380 | $45.38 |
| 2 | City of Reno | $61,387 | $29.51 |
| 3 | Minnesota Limited | $60,072 | $28.88 |
| 4 | City of Richmond | $57,399 | $27.60 |
| 5 | City of Boise | $57,254 | $27.53 |
| 6 | Robert Half | $56,322 | $27.08 |
| 7 | University of Texas System | $56,159 | $27.00 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation | $54,912 | $26.40 |
| 9 | City of El Segundo | $54,343 | $26.13 |
| 10 | Johns Creek GA | $52,913 | $25.44 |
| 11 | City of Cleveland | $52,781 | $25.38 |
| 12 | Westminster Police | $52,554 | $25.27 |
| 13 | City of Aurora | $52,200 | $25.10 |
| 14 | Bashas' | $42,203 | $20.29 |
The average city clerk salary has risen by $9,422 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average city clerk earned $48,744 annually, but today, they earn $58,166 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for city clerks over the last decade.
Compare city clerk salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare city clerk salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $58,200 | $27.96 | +3.8% |
| 2025 | $56,000 | $26.91 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $54,600 | $26.27 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $53,000 | $25.48 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $52,100 | $25.05 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Ames | Secretary I-City Clerk's Office | Ames, IA | 06/28/2025 | $70,209 |
| City of Chayenne, Wy | City Clerk Operations Coordinator | Cheyenne, WY | 06/22/2025 | $43,724 |
| City of Santee | Assistant City Clerk | Santee, CA | 06/21/2025 | $76,004 |
| City of Cheyenne | City Clerk Operations Coordinator | Cheyenne, WY | 06/20/2025 | $43,724 |
| City of Palmer, Ak | Seasonal Administrative Assistant City Clerk | Palmer, AK | 06/17/2025 | $42,178 |
| City of Loveland | City Clerk Admin I-Temp | Loveland, CO | 05/16/2025 | $43,117 |
| Syndeo | Temporary Clerk II-City of Wichita | Wichita, KS | 05/06/2025 | $35,270 |
| City of Prescott | Senior City Clerk Specialist | Prescott, AZ | 04/24/2025 | $52,196 |
| Fiesta Mart | Store 047 Missouri City-Restaurant Clerk | Missouri City, TX | 04/10/2025 | $27,131 |
| Munitemps/Municipal Staffing Solutions | City Clerk | Ione, CA | 04/10/2025 | $114,785 |
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