Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in U.S. is $156,210/year ($75.1/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $217K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $156K get you in U.S.?
About judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $156K.Top earners bring in $217K or more - a $170K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in U.S.?
The median is $156,210 a year - that works out to about $75.1 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,520, and experienced judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates can clear $216,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $156K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,794/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 14.4% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary is worth about $156,210 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.