Following college graduation, Land worked as a marketing executive at Royal Crown Cola for over 10 years.
[3] From 1979 until 1991, Land served as a Republican member of the Georgia State Senate representing Marion, Talbot, and portions of Muscogee counties.
In subsequent elections, Senator Land's name appeared on the ballot as the official Republican candidate for the seat.
His uncle, John Henry Land was elected to one term in the Georgia State Senate from 1949 to 1950 before serving as a Superior Court Judge for twenty-four years.
In 2001, Clay Land was appointed to the position of United States District Court Judge, by President Bush.