CareerFacts

All careers › Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Judge: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$153,990median pay per year, or $74.03 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $46,950lowest 10% earn less
  2. $85,71025th percentile
  3. $153,990median
  4. $194,95075th percentile
  5. $221,710top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for judges, magistrate judges and magistrates was $153,990 a year in May 2025[1]. The usual path starts with a doctoral or professional degree and five years or more of related work[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2.8%[5]
Openings per year
800[6]
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree[2]

How much do judges make?

The median pay for a judge, magistrate judge or magistrate was $153,990 a year, or $74.03 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean was $143,830 a year, or $69.15 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $46,950 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $221,710[3]. A quarter earned less than $85,710 and a quarter earned more than $194,950[3]. Hourly, those points were $22.57, $41.21, $93.73 and $106.59[8]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

Point Annual wage Source
10th percentile[3] $46,950
25th percentile[3] $85,710
Median[1] $153,990
75th percentile[3] $194,950
90th percentile[3] $221,710

These wages come from OEWS. It covers wage and salary workers, so it leaves out the self-employed. It also leaves out benefits and nonproduction bonuses[10]. About 24,030 people held these jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Rhode Island had the highest median at $239,760, followed by Massachusetts at $221,710, Connecticut at $217,760, New York at $216,390 and Hawaii at $211,810[12]. Mississippi had the lowest median in the list at $49,960[12]. Michigan came next at $51,210 and Alabama at $52,850[12]. The list covers 41 states with published data[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA had the highest median at $229,760[13]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH followed at $221,710, then Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN at $218,190[13].

The states with the most jobs were Texas with 2,770, New York with 2,270, Ohio with 1,720, Florida with 1,380 and Virginia with 1,270[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ at 1,280, then Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX at 710[15].

Show median pay in 41 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Rhode Island[12]$239,760120
Massachusetts$221,710610
Connecticut$217,760230
New York$216,3902,270
Hawaii$211,810120
Tennessee$208,350420
Nebraska$208,180160
New Mexico$205,400250
New Jersey$204,160920
Colorado$198,790620
Vermont$194,17080
Minnesota$190,110590
Florida$186,0401,380
Alaska$183,310140
Indiana$183,000790
Idaho$172,920250
Maryland$172,190170
North Dakota$171,100130
Oregon$166,40040
Nevada$166,36090
Maine$161,470100
Kentucky$150,650370
Kansas$148,910420
Iowa$147,510410
Texas$139,9902,770
Washington$134,2701,040
Georgia$133,6601,190
Delaware$131,340120
Pennsylvania$110,580n/a
Virginia$104,0001,270
Ohio$95,2601,720
Arizona$93,280590
Utah$92,780100
South Carolina$86,210670
Montana$84,63070
Louisiana$83,040180
Wisconsin$76,620130
West Virginia$63,240350
Alabama$52,850560
Michigan$51,210570
Mississippi$49,960360

How to become a judge

The detailed training facts below come from a BLS profile of judges and hearing officers. That profile covers a wider group than this occupation[16]. BLS lists the typical entry path as a doctoral or professional degree, five years or more of related work experience, and short-term on-the-job training[2].

1) Earn a law degree[17]. A Juris Doctor is typically required for local, state or federal judges[17]. Full-time study usually takes 7 years after high school, which is 4 years of undergraduate study and 3 years of law school[18]. 2) Work as a lawyer[19]. Judges typically build their skills through years of practicing law[19]. 3) Keep your law license in good standing[20]. Judges typically must keep a law license and good standing with the state bar[20]. 4) Get appointed or elected[21]. Most judges and magistrates reach the job this way, and the process often needs political support[21]. Many local and state judges serve fixed, renewable terms, and federal judges and some state judges are appointed for life[21]. 5) Complete any required training[22]. Newly appointed or elected judges sometimes must take training, and some must take continuing legal education[22][23].

Requirements vary. Magistrates and even some judges are not required to have a law degree in some places[24]. Some states let non-lawyers hold limited-jurisdiction posts, though people with legal practice have better chances[19]. Some graduates take a judicial clerkship before practicing law, and these are usually 1 or 2 years long[25].

In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 66% said a doctoral degree is required, 23% said a first professional degree and 10% said post-doctoral training[26].

What judges do

Judges settle disputes and run court proceedings[27]. Tasks listed by O*NET include:

Some judges also perform wedding ceremonies[27]. Job titles reported by workers include circuit court judge, county judge, district court judge and justice of the peace[29].

Where they work

Judges and hearing officers work mostly in offices and courtrooms[30]. The job can be demanding because they sit in one position for long periods and give full attention to the proceedings[30]. Some travel between courthouses in their state[31]. The work can be stressful when people in court are difficult or confrontational[32].

Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours a week[33]. Some courthouses have evening and weekend hours, and judges may be on call to issue emergency orders[33]. State government employed 56% of judges and hearing officers in 2025[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of judges, magistrate judges and magistrates to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035[5]. That is from about 25,300 to 26,000 jobs, a change of 700[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[35]. These counts include self-employed workers[5].

About 800 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.6% of workers leave the labor force and 1.2% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The pay is high next to all occupations, with a median of $153,990 against $50,980[1][4]. The path is long. It usually takes a law degree and five years or more of related work, and most judges must be appointed or elected[2][17][21]. Growth is slightly below the rate for all occupations, and about 800 openings are projected a year[35][6]. Pay also differs a lot by state[12]. The work involves long sitting, possible travel and some stress[30][31][32].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a judge make an hour?
The median was $74.03 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $69.15[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a judge?
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education[2]. A Juris Doctor is typically required, though some jurisdictions do not require a law degree for magistrates or some judges[17][24].
How long does it take to become a judge?
A law degree usually takes 7 years of full-time study after high school[18]. BLS also lists five years or more of related work experience[2].
Is judge a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][35]. About 800 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for judges?
Rhode Island had the highest median at $239,760 a year[12]. Massachusetts was next at $221,710[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in the US was $153,990 per year and $74.03 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: 10th percentile $46,950, 25th percentile $85,710, 75th percentile $194,950, 90th percentile $221,710. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates is projected to grow 2.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 25,300 to 26,000 jobs (a change of +700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 800 openings for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates was $143,830 per year and $69.15 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: 10th percentile $22.57, 25th percentile $41.21, 75th percentile $93.73, 90th percentile $106.59. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 24,030 people were employed as Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (areas with at least 100 jobs): Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $229,760; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $221,710; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $218,190; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $217,760; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $204,160; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $204,160; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $198,790; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $196,890. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates jobs: Texas 2,770; New York 2,270; Ohio 1,720; Florida 1,380; Virginia 1,270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,280 (median $204,160); Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 710 (median $153,990); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 550 (median $144,790); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 550 (median $135,180); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 490; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 480 (median $135,430). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Judges and Hearing Officers" covers Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET 23-1023.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 66%, First Professional Degree 23%, Post-Doctoral Training 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET description of Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 23-1023.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Circuit Court Judge, Circuit Judge, County Judge, Court of Appeals Judge, District Court Judge, Judge, Justice of the Peace, Magisterial District Judge. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of judges and hearing officers in 2025: State government, excluding education and hospitals 56%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 1.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.