How much does a judge make?
The median judge in the United States earns $156,210 per year, about $75.10 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all judges earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 23-1023.
Judge salary range
Pay for judges spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,520 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $216,540. The average (mean) wage is $143,110, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,520 | $22.37 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $86,060 | $41.38 | |
| Median (50th) | $156,210 | $75.10 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $189,890 | $91.29 | |
| 90th percentile | $216,540 | $104.11 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (SOC 23-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Judge salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Judges earn the most in Massachusetts at $221,710 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $49,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | 600 |
| Connecticut | $211,420 | 200 |
| Hawaii | $203,290 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $200,150 | 990 |
| Nebraska | $196,390 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $192,910 | 220 |
| Colorado | $191,640 | 620 |
| New York | $189,890 | 2,460 |
| Minnesota | $182,790 | 470 |
| Maryland | $181,320 | 390 |
| Tennessee | $178,730 | 520 |
| Indiana | $177,180 | 720 |
| Oregon | $174,100 | 320 |
| Alaska | $168,880 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $164,340 | 240 |
| Maine | $156,770 | 80 |
| Missouri | $156,210 | 550 |
| Kansas | $148,910 | 420 |
| Vermont | $141,080 | 90 |
| Texas | $139,990 | 2,610 |
| Kentucky | $138,620 | 420 |
| Washington | $131,740 | 1,050 |
| Georgia | $131,670 | 1,210 |
| Delaware | $126,700 | 120 |
| Utah | $123,640 | 100 |
| Nevada | $118,690 | 100 |
| Virginia | $104,000 | N/A |
| Ohio | $97,260 | 2,510 |
| South Carolina | $84,270 | 670 |
| Wisconsin | $83,620 | 130 |
| Louisiana | $70,610 | 180 |
| Montana | $63,260 | 90 |
| West Virginia | $63,240 | 350 |
| Michigan | $51,250 | 530 |
| Alabama | $50,950 | 610 |
| Mississippi | $49,900 | N/A |
State median wages for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (SOC 23-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for judges
The BLS projects employment of judges to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 25,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for judges. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a judge
The typical entry-level education for judges is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a judge earns
Firm size, practice area, years of experience, and metro area drive the spread. Large firms and major markets pay far above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $221,710) and the lowest (Mississippi, $49,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 25,580 people work as judges in the United States. At $156,210 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Judge salary FAQ
How much does a judge make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a judge is $75.10. The middle half of judges earn between $41.38 and $91.29 per hour.
What is the highest judge salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of judges earn more than $216,540 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a judge make a year?
The median annual salary for a judge is $156,210. The average (mean) wage is $143,110, close to the median.
Is being a judge a well paid job?
At $156,210 a year, a judge earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 25,580 people work as judges in the United States.
Which state pays judges the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for judges at $221,710 a year. Connecticut ($211,420) and Hawaii ($203,290) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a judge a good career?
Employment of judges is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a judge?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for judges as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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