Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary

The median judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary in the United States is $153,990 per year ($74.03/hour). Salaries range from $46,950 at the entry level to $221,710+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 24,030 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 2.5% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary
$153,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$74.03
per hour
Employment
24,030
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$46,950
25th percentile
$85,710
Median
$153,990
75th percentile
$194,950
90th percentile
$221,710

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+2.5%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Doctoral or professional degree
+ 5 years or more experience

Training Needed

Short-term on-the-job training

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$50K
$240K■ No data
StateMedianvs. National
Rhode Island$239,760+55.7%
Massachusetts$221,710+44.0%
Connecticut$217,760+41.4%
New York$216,390+40.5%
Hawaii$211,810+37.5%
Tennessee$208,350+35.3%
Nebraska$208,180+35.2%
New Mexico$205,400+33.4%
New Jersey$204,160+32.6%
Colorado$198,790+29.1%
110 of 41

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$229,760+49.2%
Longview-Kelso, WA$228,330+48.3%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$221,710+44.0%
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN$218,190+41.7%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT$217,760+41.4%
Albuquerque, NM$216,220+40.4%
Lincoln, NE$208,180+35.2%
Omaha, NE-IA$208,180+35.2%
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ$204,160+32.6%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$204,160+32.6%
110 of 98
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earning $153,990/year would need 387 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 416 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →
📈 See how judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary trend (2011–2024) →