Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrate Salary in 2026
How Much Do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Make?
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn a median annual salary of $156,210 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,520 at the 10th percentile to $216,540 at the 90th percentile — a range of $170,020. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $221,710.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,520 |
| 25th percentile | $86,060 |
| Median (50th) | $156,210 |
| 75th percentile | $189,890 |
| 90th percentile | $216,540 |
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrate Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusettstop | $221,710 |
| Connecticut | $211,420 |
| Hawaii | $203,290 |
| New Jersey | $200,150 |
| Nebraska | $196,390 |
| Arkansas | $192,910 |
| Colorado | $191,640 |
| New York | $189,890 |
| Minnesota | $182,790 |
| Maryland | $181,320 |
| Tennessee | $178,730 |
| Indiana | $177,180 |
| Oregon | $174,100 |
| Alaska | $168,880 |
| New Mexico | $164,340 |
| Maine | $156,770 |
| Missouri | $156,210 |
| Kansas | $148,910 |
| Vermont | $141,080 |
| Texas | $139,990 |
| Kentucky | $138,620 |
| Washington | $131,740 |
| Georgia | $131,670 |
| Delaware | $126,700 |
| Utah | $123,640 |
| Nevada | $118,690 |
| Virginia | $104,000 |
| Ohio | $97,260 |
| South Carolina | $84,270 |
| Wisconsin | $83,620 |
| Louisiana | $70,610 |
| Montana | $63,260 |
| West Virginia | $63,240 |
| Michigan | $51,250 |
| Alabama | $50,950 |
| Mississippi | $49,900 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrate Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$46,520 – $86,060 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$156,210 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$189,890 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $216,540+ |
How to Earn More as a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrate
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH earn $221,710 — $65,500 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($189,890) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrate Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistratethis career | $156,210 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officer | $78,420 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $93,500 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $64,520 |
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SOC: 23-1023.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.