Also called: Reading Clerk, Journal Clerk, Bill Clerk, Chief Clerk of the House
Runs the paperwork of lawmaking: reading bills aloud, calling the roll, recording votes, and keeping the official journal.
In Congress and state legislatures, clerks stand at the front desk of the chamber reading bill titles, calling each member's name during roll call votes, and tracking every amendment. The top 'chief clerk' runs the whole legislative process behind the scenes.
Chief clerks of Congress earn near the top; state staff earn less. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's degree common; learned on the job, often rising from intern or page.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Political Science, History, Communications.
Growing about average. Small, stable number of jobs.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Electronic voting and bill systems handle records; reading bills and calling the roll in the chamber stay human.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, Computer applications, AP English Language.
Official data: O*NET occupation 43-4199.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.