Overview
SourcedPerform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.
O*NET definition of Court, Municipal, and License Clerks (SOC 43-4031) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
O*NET definition of Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 43-4031, including City / County Clerk, Court Clerk, Death Investigator / Coroner, Environmental Compliance Inspector.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Education needed to enter
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Court, Municipal, and License Clerks (SOC 43-4031) naming each level as required to be hired, 24 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedInformation clerks typically need a high school diploma and learn their skills on the job. Some employers may prefer to hire candidates with some college education or an associate's degree, depending on the occupation.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Information Clerks”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 43-4031
- Long-term on-the-job training
- SOC 13-1041
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialCivil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / Assistant
- Level I
- Level II (journey)
- Level III / Senior
- Lead / Principal
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director / Division Chief
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedCourt, Municipal, and License Clerks (SOC 43-4031)
Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 46,860 | $40,990 | $45,560 | $52,940 | $63,240 | $73,310 |
| Local | 129,600 | $35,590 | $39,450 | $47,960 | $60,370 | $74,040 |
| All government | 176,450 | $36,600 | $41,070 | $48,880 | $60,940 | $73,910 |
| Private sector | 3,290 | $29,230 | $32,370 | $35,190 | $42,220 | $48,850 |
Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041)
Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 68,250 | $61,110 | $78,330 | $105,500 | $122,370 | $137,470 |
| State | 51,140 | $45,090 | $54,420 | $68,300 | $86,390 | $107,020 |
| Local | 38,040 | $46,210 | $56,740 | $69,520 | $89,900 | $112,700 |
| All government | 157,430 | $48,960 | $61,780 | $80,810 | $109,180 | $128,790 |
| Private sector | 259,640 | $47,800 | $60,950 | $80,700 | $108,910 | $137,590 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
State government pay plans
Official pay ranges for the job classes that match DMV Clerk / Driver License Examiner in 23 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.
| State | Job classes in the state plan | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Driver License Examiner I–III, Driver License Specialist 4 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department | $31,303 – $62,285 |
| Arkansas | Driver's License Examiner 1 class · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management | $43,088 – $63,770 |
| California | Motor Vehicle Representative 1 class · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) | $44,940 – $65,148 |
| Colorado | Driver's License Examiners I–V 5 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR) | $42,264 – $96,360 |
| Connecticut | Motor Vehicle Examiner 1 class · effective June 26, 2026 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources | $55,412 – $72,665 |
| Florida | Driver Licenses Examiner II 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management | $34,760 – $58,096 |
| Georgia | Driver Examiner 1–3, Driver Examiner 1 Non Exempt, Driver Examiner 2 Non Exempt, Driver Examiner 3 Non Exempt 6 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation | $28,571 – $52,364 |
| Indiana | BMVC Driver Examiner Senior 1 class · Indiana State Personnel Department | $37,648 – $52,728 |
| Maine | Driver License Examiner 1 class · effective August 30, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources | $43,118 – $59,758 |
| Nebraska | Motor Vehicle Examiner 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, State Personnel Division | $41,020 – $60,470 |
| New York | Motor Vehicle Representative 1–2 2 classes · effective April 1, 2026 · New York State Department of Civil Service | $44,560 – $61,076 |
| North Carolina | Driver License Examiner I–II 2 classes · effective February 1, 2026 · North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) | $31,200 – $59,327 |
| Ohio | Driver License Examiner 1, Driver License Examiner 2 (Lead Worker) 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation | $49,192 – $65,458 |
| Oklahoma | Driver's License Examiner I–IV 4 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management | $27,320 – $140,961 |
| Pennsylvania | Driver License Examiner 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration | $46,827 – $75,298 |
| South Dakota | Driver License Examiner, Senior Driver License Examiner 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes | $38,376 – $60,112 |
| Tennessee | Driver's License Examiner 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources | $34,752 – $51,972 |
| Texas | License and Permit Specialist I–V 5 classes · effective September 1, 2025 · Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team | $37,144 – $93,138 |
| Utah | Driver License Examiner 1 class · effective June 21, 2025 · Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) | $36,982 – $61,942 |
| Vermont | Motor Vehicle Examiner II 1 class · effective July 12, 2026 · Vermont Department of Human Resources | $58,344 – $91,104 |
| West Virginia | Transportation DMV Agent 1–2 | $36,700 – $55,450 |
| Wisconsin | DMV Customer Service Rep Entry, DMV Customer Service Rep, DMV Customer Service Rep-Adv, DMV Customer Service Rep-Lead 4 classes · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management | $43,784 – $84,302 |
| Wyoming | Drivers License Field Examiner 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Wyoming Department of Administration & Information, Human Resources Division | $46,613 – $69,930 |
Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Sources: 23 official state pay plans, linked in each row.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Plan or direct the maintenance, filing, safekeeping, or computerization of all municipal documents.4.6
- Examine legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws or court procedures.4.5
- Record case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees.4.4
- Answer inquiries from the general public regarding judicial procedures, court appearances, trial dates, adjournments, outstanding warrants, summonses, subpoenas, witness fees, or payment of fines.4.4
- Perform general office duties, such as taking or transcribing dictation, typing or proofreading correspondence, distributing or filing official forms, or scheduling appointments.4.2
- Question applicants to obtain required information, such as name, address, or age, and record data on prescribed forms.4.2
- Instruct parties about timing of court appearances.4.2
- Perform administrative tasks, such as answering telephone calls, filing court documents, or maintaining office supplies or equipment.4.1
- Respond to requests for information from the public, other municipalities, state officials, or state and federal legislative offices.4.1
- Coordinate or maintain office tracking systems for correspondence or follow-up actions.4.0
The 10 most important of 11 core tasks for Court, Municipal, and License Clerks, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.
- Warn violators of infractions or penalties.4.4
- Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.4.4
- Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.4.4
- Prepare reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, or decisions.4.3
- Report law or regulation violations to appropriate boards or agencies.4.2
- Confer with or interview officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify facts relevant to licensing decisions.4.1
The 6 most important of 6 core tasks for Compliance Officers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of November 2020.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedBy state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Court, Municipal, and License Clerks (SOC 43-4031) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 50 | $50,720 | $66,130 | $95,000 |
| Washington | 3,450 | $49,970 | $64,680 | $80,720 |
| California | 12,460 | $49,110 | $63,320 | $84,190 |
| Massachusetts | 4,360 | $47,860 | $61,730 | $84,390 |
| Rhode Island | 660 | $48,780 | $61,670 | $82,050 |
| Oregon | 1,820 | $47,520 | $61,300 | $78,790 |
| Connecticut | 1,300 | $43,670 | $60,480 | $78,120 |
| Maryland | 2,360 | $49,810 | $58,380 | $71,850 |
| Nevada | 1,250 | $42,790 | $56,680 | $77,760 |
| Minnesota | 5,360 | $46,340 | $56,520 | $75,950 |
| Alaska | 650 | $36,810 | $54,270 | $78,580 |
| North Dakota | 600 | $38,790 | $53,850 | $74,790 |
| New Jersey | 5,710 | $40,000 | $53,700 | $74,770 |
| New York | 11,850 | $39,740 | $53,500 | $97,120 |
| Vermont | 890 | $44,350 | $53,000 | $70,460 |
| Wisconsin | 1,240 | $44,100 | $51,920 | $75,390 |
| Hawaii | 510 | $43,630 | $51,890 | $72,360 |
| Utah | 1,280 | $39,230 | $51,130 | $77,240 |
| Colorado | 7,920 | $34,950 | $50,410 | $68,900 |
| North Carolina | 5,240 | $37,290 | $49,110 | $71,400 |
| Arizona | 3,560 | $39,870 | $48,700 | $61,770 |
| Michigan | 5,620 | $36,750 | $48,690 | $63,000 |
| Maine | 1,150 | $40,910 | $48,580 | $64,450 |
| Idaho | 1,500 | $37,900 | $48,450 | $63,500 |
| Nebraska | 1,210 | $43,150 | $48,420 | $75,010 |
| Iowa | 2,390 | $37,790 | $48,280 | $63,610 |
| Ohio | 9,550 | $34,450 | $48,030 | $73,230 |
| Florida | 11,180 | $36,950 | $47,100 | $61,880 |
| New Mexico | 1,040 | $38,230 | $46,960 | $57,970 |
| Illinois | 8,370 | $35,450 | $46,920 | $75,230 |
| New Hampshire | 550 | $36,830 | $46,590 | $71,700 |
| Texas | 15,730 | $36,220 | $46,580 | $60,120 |
| Louisiana | 2,900 | $32,060 | $46,570 | $65,300 |
| Wyoming | 770 | $38,260 | $46,540 | $65,740 |
| Indiana | 3,460 | $31,900 | $46,350 | $60,570 |
| Montana | 1,340 | $37,030 | $45,680 | $60,090 |
| Virginia | 4,610 | $40,410 | $45,650 | $61,450 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,320 | $35,440 | $44,830 | $67,490 |
| Kansas | 1,290 | $36,260 | $44,740 | $59,860 |
| Tennessee | 3,050 | $32,880 | $44,720 | $60,690 |
| Delaware | 980 | $35,620 | $44,600 | $53,610 |
| South Dakota | 920 | $34,490 | $43,850 | $58,260 |
| Kentucky | 2,370 | $34,830 | $43,680 | $54,640 |
| South Carolina | 2,020 | $30,050 | $43,460 | $64,760 |
| Georgia | 5,750 | $34,010 | $42,960 | $60,740 |
| Missouri | 4,760 | $33,970 | $41,020 | $60,530 |
| Oklahoma | 2,730 | $29,260 | $39,120 | $60,390 |
| Alabama | 2,050 | $29,140 | $38,360 | $57,130 |
| West Virginia | 1,590 | $28,580 | $37,810 | $50,370 |
| Mississippi | 2,950 | $29,510 | $37,210 | $59,850 |
| Arkansas | 2,090 | $28,410 | $36,960 | $50,600 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 14 Exam practiceNot yet collectedNamed entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules