Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
The median pay for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $93,220/year ($44.82/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $207K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $92,334 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 30.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $93K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K. Top earners bring in $207K or more, a $179K 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 |
| Missouri | $156K | +0% | 550 |
| Kansas | $149K | -5% | 420 |
| Vermont | $141K | -10% | 90 |
| Texas | $140K | -10% | 2,610 |
| Kentucky | $139K | -11% | 420 |
| Washington | $132K | -16% | 1,050 |
| Georgia | $132K | -16% | 1,210 |
| Delaware | $127K | -19% | 120 |
| Utah | $124K | -21% | 100 |
| Nevada | $119K | -24% | 100 |
| Virginia | $104K | -33% | N/A |
| Ohio | $97K | -38% | 2,510 |
| South Carolina | $84K | -46% | 670 |
| Wisconsin | $84K | -46% | 130 |
| Louisiana | $71K | -55% | 180 |
| Montana | $63K | -60% | 90 |
| West Virginia | $63K | -60% | 350 |
| Michigan | $51K | -67% | 530 |
| Alabama | $51K | -67% | 610 |
| Mississippi | $50K | -68% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 35 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $93,220 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,310, and experienced judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates can clear $207,180. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $93K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,802/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 30.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (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 $92,334 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.