Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 23-1023As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the United States is $153,990 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 24,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,950 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $85,710 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $153,990 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $194,950 | Experienced |
| 90th | $221,710 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
A new job often means a new city, car or mortgage application — check your score first. 7-day trial for $1.
Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $239,760 | $213,840 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | $201,060 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $217,760 | $194,050 | 230 |
| New York | $216,390 | $198,770 | 2,000 |
| Hawaii | $211,810 | $213,030 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $208,350 | $173,150 | 420 |
| Nebraska | $208,180 | $197,450 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $205,400 | $166,270 | 250 |
| New Jersey | $204,160 | $170,500 | 920 |
| Colorado | $198,790 | $191,340 | 620 |
| Vermont | $194,170 | $158,760 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $190,110 | $167,790 | 590 |
| Florida | $186,040 | $186,200 | 1,000 |
| Alaska | $183,310 | $170,670 | 140 |
| Indiana | $183,000 | $157,070 | 790 |
| Idaho | $172,920 | $171,860 | 250 |
| Maryland | $172,190 | $151,880 | 170 |
| North Dakota | $171,100 | $164,880 | 130 |
| Oregon | $166,400 | $159,490 | 40 |
| Nevada | $166,360 | $149,080 | 90 |
| Maine | $161,470 | $139,890 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $150,650 | $140,470 | 370 |
| Kansas | $148,910 | $123,200 | 420 |
| Iowa | $147,510 | $113,160 | 410 |
| Texas | $139,990 | $127,900 | 3,000 |
| Washington | $134,270 | $159,620 | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $133,660 | $121,580 | 1,000 |
| Delaware | $131,340 | $152,360 | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $110,580 | $109,520 | — |
| Virginia | $104,000 | $125,190 | 1,000 |
| Ohio | $95,260 | $109,500 | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $93,280 | $126,550 | 590 |
| Utah | $92,780 | $114,690 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $86,210 | $98,400 | 670 |
| Montana | $84,630 | $82,810 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $83,040 | $93,040 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $76,620 | $94,290 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $63,240 | $90,520 | 350 |
| Alabama | $52,850 | $66,740 | 560 |
| Michigan | $51,210 | $87,370 | 570 |
| Mississippi | $49,960 | $68,270 | 360 |
Downloadable legal templates for US residents.
Browse LawDepot →VPN for remote and hybrid workers — 2-year deal.
Get NordVPN →Recommended Gear & Prep
Negotiating the offer? A salary negotiation guide helps you anchor to the percentiles above.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the US?
The US national median wage for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is $153,990 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the US?
Pay ranges from $46,950 at the 10th percentile to $221,710 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates the most?
The highest-paying states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates include Rhode Island ($239,760), Massachusetts ($221,710), Connecticut ($217,760). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Rhode Island ($239,760) pays roughly 380% more than Mississippi ($49,960). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02