Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn a median $153,990 a year nationally. Legal Occupations
What judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates do
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 800
Employment of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$25,692
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,547
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,233
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$116,518
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,950 | $22.57 | $39,904 |
| 25th percentile | $85,710 | $41.21 | $69,127 |
| Median (50th) | $153,990 | $74.03 | $116,518 |
| 75th percentile | $194,950 | $93.73 | $145,162 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,710 | $106.59 | $164,610 |
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $239,200+ | — | $166,216 | $81,690 – $239,200+ | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | +0.0% | $153,744 | $155,450 – $221,710 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $217,760 | +3.0% | $151,078 | $114,380 – $217,760 | 230 |
| New York | $216,390 | +14.0% | $149,271 | $166,930 – $232,590 | 2,270 |
| Hawaii | $211,810 | +4.2% | $142,704 | $205,300 – $217,110 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $208,350 | +16.6% | $155,077 | $64,300 – $221,470 | 420 |
| Nebraska | $208,180 | +6.0% | $146,359 | $202,550 – $213,800 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $205,400 | +25.0% | $144,170 | $76,260 – $218,030 | 250 |
| New Jersey | $204,160 | +2.0% | $141,176 | $56,290 – $215,540 | 920 |
| Colorado | $198,790 | +3.7% | $139,987 | $170,080 – $219,580 | 620 |
| Vermont | $194,170 | +37.6% | $133,611 | $57,730 – $194,170 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $190,110 | +4.0% | $129,463 | $117,520 – $190,110 | 590 |
| Florida | $186,040 | — | $138,520 | $171,860 – $220,410 | 1,380 |
| Alaska | $183,310 | +8.5% | $136,558 | $82,160 – $221,220 | 140 |
| Indiana | $183,000 | +3.3% | $130,978 | $58,960 – $183,000 | 790 |
| Idaho | $172,920 | — | $121,400 | $79,180 – $226,260 | 250 |
| Maryland | $172,190 | −5.0% | $120,838 | $53,210 – $204,420 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $171,100 | — | $126,136 | $58,040 – $175,960 | 130 |
| Oregon | $166,400 | −4.4% | $110,827 | $76,950 – $230,850 | 40 |
| Nevada | $166,360 | +40.2% | $124,973 | $57,220 – $227,870 | 90 |
| Maine | $161,470 | +3.0% | $111,581 | $55,760 – $165,110 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $150,650 | +8.7% | $109,080 | $98,230 – $156,550 | 370 |
| Kansas | $148,910 | +0.0% | $105,536 | $76,590 – $163,160 | 420 |
| Iowa | $147,510 | — | $107,136 | $45,470 – $173,670 | 410 |
| Texas | $139,990 | +0.0% | $106,949 | $31,380 – $184,790 | 2,770 |
| Washington | $134,270 | +1.9% | $103,040 | $112,360 – $239,200+ | 1,040 |
| Georgia | $133,660 | +1.5% | $96,308 | $37,420 – $187,990 | 1,190 |
| Delaware | $131,340 | +3.7% | $93,709 | $93,490 – $211,350 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $110,580 | — | $83,228 | $110,580 – $110,580 | — |
| Virginia | $104,000 | +0.0% | $76,828 | $62,180 – $213,830 | 1,270 |
| Ohio | $95,260 | −2.1% | $74,008 | $38,330 – $210,440 | 1,720 |
| Arizona | $93,280 | — | $72,329 | $81,120 – $209,950 | 590 |
| Utah | $92,780 | −25.0% | $70,892 | $32,640 – $195,950 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $86,210 | +2.3% | $65,463 | $35,950 – $211,840 | 670 |
| Montana | $84,630 | +33.8% | $64,947 | $44,470 – $123,780 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $83,040 | +17.6% | $65,144 | $24,660 – $143,800 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $76,620 | −8.4% | $60,052 | $27,380 – $175,880 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $63,240 | +0.0% | $50,880 | $63,240 – $138,590 | 350 |
| Alabama | $52,850 | +3.7% | $42,267 | $37,420 – $110,110 | 560 |
| Michigan | $51,210 | −0.1% | $41,402 | $45,720 – $181,280 | 570 |
| Mississippi | $49,960 | +0.1% | $41,056 | $27,510 – $165,240 | 360 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $117,860 | Doctoral or professional degree | 0.0% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $75,530 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Lawyer | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.7% |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $64,920 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.8% |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $72,110 | Associate's degree | -0.3% |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $62,890 | Associate's degree | -0.3% |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $58,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make?
The national median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is $153,990 a year ($74.03 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,950 and the top 10% earn over $221,710. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median pay at $239,200+.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are there in the U.S.?
About 24,030 people work as judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates nationwide.