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Probate clerk salary
Average probate clerk salary
$51,598
Understanding the Probate Clerk Salary
The probate clerk plays a crucial role in managing the legal documentation involved in estate administration. As of October 2025, the average salary for a probate clerk is $51,598 annually, which translates to approximately $25 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of organization.
For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for legal services. Salaries can range from around $45,000 in entry-level positions to over $65,000 for those with significant experience or specialized skills. Additionally, clerks working in larger law firms or government agencies may earn more compared to those in smaller settings.
Understanding these dynamics can help prospective clerks gauge their earning potential in different regions. By considering factors such as location, experience, and the specific duties of the role, candidates can make informed decisions about their career paths.
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Where can a Probate Clerk earn more?
Probate clerk salaries by experience level
Probate clerk salary estimates from across the web
Average probate clerk salary by state
The average probate clerk salary in Alaska, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average probate clerk salary states are Montana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for probate clerks
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $73,701 | $35.43 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $60,257 | $28.97 |
| 3 | New York | $69,729 | $33.52 |
| 4 | Michigan | $56,835 | $27.32 |
| 5 | Delaware | $58,917 | $28.33 |
| 6 | Ohio | $55,783 | $26.82 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $58,207 | $27.98 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $69,774 | $33.55 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $59,527 | $28.62 |
| 11 | Illinois | $53,924 | $25.93 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $58,248 | $28.00 |
| 13 | Kentucky | $48,194 | $23.17 |
| 14 | Virginia | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| 15 | Vermont | $52,865 | $25.42 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $56,149 | $26.99 |
| 17 | Maryland | $57,206 | $27.50 |
| 18 | California | $59,318 | $28.52 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $46,324 | $22.27 |
| 20 | Kansas | $45,245 | $21.75 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $50,137 | $24.10 |
| 22 | Arizona | $52,952 | $25.46 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $48,326 | $23.23 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $56,458 | $27.14 |
| 25 | Iowa | $48,334 | $23.24 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $43,321 | $20.83 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $46,671 | $22.44 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $48,543 | $23.34 |
| 29 | Colorado | $45,832 | $22.03 |
| 30 | Nevada | $50,228 | $24.15 |
| 31 | Florida | $45,082 | $21.67 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $46,520 | $22.37 |
| 33 | Missouri | $45,173 | $21.72 |
| 34 | Maine | $47,409 | $22.79 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| 36 | Indiana | $42,353 | $20.36 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $44,644 | $21.46 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $45,614 | $21.93 |
| 39 | Oregon | $42,326 | $20.35 |
| 40 | Utah | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $44,156 | $21.23 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $43,023 | $20.68 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $41,942 | $20.16 |
| 44 | Washington | $35,152 | $16.90 |
| 45 | Alabama | $42,324 | $20.35 |
| 46 | Georgia | $41,139 | $19.78 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $40,284 | $19.37 |
| 48 | Idaho | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 49 | Texas | $36,917 | $17.75 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $37,648 | $18.10 |
| 51 | Montana | $40,536 | $19.49 |
Highest paying cities for probate clerks
The highest-paying cities for probate clerks are Leesburg, VA, San Diego, CA, and Concord, NH.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leesburg, VA | $58,611 | $28.18 |
| 2 | San Diego, CA | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 3 | Concord, NH | $55,251 | $26.56 |
| 4 | Covington, KY | $50,747 | $24.40 |
| 5 | Raleigh, NC | $49,823 | $23.95 |
| 6 | Saint Louis, MO | $46,226 | $22.22 |
| 7 | Rapid City, SD | $40,591 | $19.51 |
Probate clerk salary details
A probate clerk's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $108,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a probate clerk's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| Average | $51,598 | $4,300 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Top companies hiring probate clerks now:
Which companies pay probate clerks the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Courts | $59,319 | $28.52 |
| 2 | Fort Bend County | $46,735 | $22.47 |
| 3 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $45,057 | $21.66 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Probate clerk salary trends
The average probate clerk salary has risen by $6,073 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average probate clerk earned $45,525 annually, but today, they earn $51,598 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for probate clerks over the last decade.
Compare probate clerk salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average probate clerk salary over time
Compare probate clerk salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Probate clerk salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,600 | $24.81 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $49,800 | $23.96 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $49,300 | $23.72 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $48,000 | $23.09 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $47,300 | $22.74 | +3.2% |
Recently added probate clerk salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Courts | U.S. Probation Clerk | Martinsburg, WV | 06/26/2025 | $45,720 |
| Neheadstart | Probate Clerk | Lincoln, NE | 06/24/2025 | $38,380 |
| Fort Bend County | Clerk--Juvenile Probation | Richmond, TX | 06/09/2025 | $42,324 |
| United States Courts | Probation Clerk | Billings, MT | 05/14/2025 | $48,890 |
| Neheadstart | Probate Clerk | Omaha, NE | 04/28/2025 | $37,775 |
| Neheadstart | Probate Clerk | Omaha, NE | 03/28/2025 | $37,775 |
| United States Courts | Probation Clerk | Scranton, PA | 03/26/2025 | $39,958 |
| Genesee County | Probate Register | Flint, MI | 03/15/2025 | $107,000 |
| Cumberland County, Me | Assistant Probate Clerk II | Portland, ME | 03/14/2025 | $47,312 |
| Neheadstart | Probate Clerk | Omaha, NE | 02/25/2025 | $37,775 |
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