Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median pay for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $221,710/year ($106.59/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $155K at the entry level to $222K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $204,775 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,941/month, or 22.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $222K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
About judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (10th percentile) start around $155K. Mid-career wages sit at $222K.Top earners bring in $222K or more - a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $222K | +42% | 600 |
| Connecticut | $211K | +35% | 200 |
| Hawaii | $203K | +30% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $200K | +28% | 990 |
| Nebraska | $196K | +26% | 160 |
| Arkansas | $193K | +23% | 220 |
| New York | $190K | +22% | 2,460 |
| Minnesota | $183K | +17% | 470 |
| Maryland | $181K | +16% | 390 |
| Tennessee | $179K | +14% | 520 |
| Indiana | $177K | +13% | 720 |
| Oregon | $174K | +11% | 320 |
| Alaska | $169K | +8% | 140 |
| New Mexico | $164K | +5% | 240 |
| Maine | $157K | +0% | 80 |
Track judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boston-Cambridge-Newton numbers change.
Related careers in Legal
Frequently asked questions
How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $221,710 a year - that works out to about $106.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $155,450, and experienced judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates can clear $221,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $222K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $12,757/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary is worth about $204,775 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.