Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Richmond, VA
The median pay for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Richmond, VA is $104,000/year ($50/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $208K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.86), that's roughly $106,274 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,655/month, or 25.2% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $104K get you in Richmond?
About judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Richmond, VA
Entry-level judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $104K.Top earners bring in $208K or more - a $156K 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 Richmond numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Richmond, VA?
The median is $104,000 a year - that works out to about $50 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,000, and experienced judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates can clear $207,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $104K enough to live in Richmond?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,341/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,655/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 26.1% 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 Richmond?
Richmond has a Regional Price Parity of 97.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary is worth about $106,274 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.