SOC 231023

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

National Median

$156,210

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$156,210

Entry Level (10th pct)

$46,520

Experienced (90th pct)

$216,540

Total Employed

25,580

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$46,520 - $86,060
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$86,060 - $189,890
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$189,890 - $216,540

Highest Paying Locations for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Longview-Kelso, WA

$224,040

+43.4% vs national

Worcester, MA

$221,710

+41.9% vs national

Massachusetts

$221,710

+41.9% vs national

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

$221,710

+41.9% vs national

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

$218,190

+39.7% vs national

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Longview-Kelso, WA	$224,040	40
Worcester, MA	$221,710	80
Massachusetts	$221,710	600
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$221,710	430
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$218,190	220
Connecticut	$211,420	200
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$211,420	50
Hawaii	$203,290	120
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$201,510	30
New Jersey	$200,150	990
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$200,150	60
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$200,150	220
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$200,150	40
Knoxville, TN	$197,740	30
Lincoln, NE	$196,390	40
Omaha, NE-IA	$196,390	80
Nebraska	$196,390	160
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$196,190	1,390
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$193,000	310
Arkansas	$192,910	220
Colorado	$191,640	620
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area	$191,090	30
New York	$189,890	2,460
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$184,690	40
Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$184,690	50
Colorado Springs, CO	$184,690	60
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$184,690	40
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$182,790	330
Minnesota	$182,790	470
Maryland	$181,320	390
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$181,320	200
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$181,170	40
Tennessee	$178,730	520
Syracuse, NY	$178,590	120
Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$177,180	50
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$177,180	60
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN	$177,180	210
Indiana	$177,180	720
Evansville, IN	$177,180	30
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$177,180	60
Utica-Rome, NY	$175,420	70
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area	$174,820	100
Boise City, ID	$174,660	240
Salem, OR	$174,320	90
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$174,100	30
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$174,100	130
Oregon	$174,100	320
Albuquerque, NM	$172,990	80
Central East New York nonmetropolitan area	$172,390	130
Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$172,190	N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?

The national median annual salary for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates is $156,210, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistratess earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistratess is Longview-Kelso, WA, with a median salary of $224,040.

How much can an experienced Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make?

Top-earning Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistratess (90th percentile) make $216,540 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.