Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Topeka, KS
The median pay for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Topeka, KS is $148,910/year ($71.59/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.82), which stretches that salary to about $167,654 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,057/month, or 11.7% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $149K get you in Topeka?
About judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Topeka, KS
Entry-level judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $149K.Top earners bring in $169K or more - a $124K 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 Topeka numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Topeka, KS?
The median is $148,910 a year - that works out to about $71.59 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,290, and experienced judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates can clear $168,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $149K enough to live in Topeka?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,725/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,057/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 12.1% 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 Topeka?
Topeka has a Regional Price Parity of 88.82 (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 $167,654 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.