Legal
Judge Salary
Judges preside over court proceedings, interpret law, and issue verdicts or sentences.
Median Salary
$148,030
Mean Salary
$155,200
Total Employed
44,000
Job Growth
+3%
Judge Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level judges earn around $65,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $150,000. Senior-level judges can earn $215,000 or more.
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,000 Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$150,000 Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$215,000 Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for judges varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $58,000, while the top 10% earn $230,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $148,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $195,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $230,000 |
Judge Salary by State
Judge salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $251,651, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $122,865.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $251,651 | Details → |
| #2 California | $204,281 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $199,841 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $183,557 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $180,597 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $170,235 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $170,235 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $165,794 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $162,833 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $162,833 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $155,432 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $155,432 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $155,432 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $153,951 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $149,510 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $149,510 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $145,069 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $145,069 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $143,589 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $143,589 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $143,589 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $143,589 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $142,109 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $140,629 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $140,629 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $139,148 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $137,668 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $137,668 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $136,188 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $136,188 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $136,188 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $136,188 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $134,707 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $133,227 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $133,227 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $133,227 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $133,227 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $133,227 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $131,747 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $131,747 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $131,747 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $130,266 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $130,266 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $128,786 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $128,786 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $128,786 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $127,306 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $124,345 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $124,345 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $122,865 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Preside over trials
- ● Interpret and apply laws
- ● Rule on motions
- ● Instruct juries
- ● Issue sentences
Top Skills
Legal Interpretation Judicial Reasoning Court Procedures Impartiality Legal Writing Case Management
Education Required
Doctoral degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade