Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary
The median pay for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts is $221,710/year ($106.59/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $155K at the entry level to $222K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $221,511 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,347/month, or 17.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $222K get you in Massachusetts?
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates, local pay runs about 44% higher than the U.S. median of $154K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,347/month, 18.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Massachusetts offers a genuinely strong financial position for judges, magistrate judges, and magistratess at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
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 salary by metro in Massachusetts
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $222K | +0% | 420 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrate afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
Yes — at the median salary of $222K, rent takes 18.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates typically earn — is $155K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $9,327/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is judges, magistrate judges, and magistrate a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Local pay is 44% above the national median — $222K here vs. $154K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates?
Massachusetts pays $222K median vs. the U.S. average of $154K — that’s +44%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $222K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Massachusetts?
The median is $221,710 a year, that works out to about $107 an hour. But 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 Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $12,757/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 18.4% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $221,511 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.