Legal Hattiesburg, MS Pop. 48,728

Judge Salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

The median judge salary in Hattiesburg, MS is $118,424 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 3.6% below the Mississippi state average.

City Median
$118,424
vs State Avg
$-4,441
vs National
$-29,606
Cost of Living
80%

Judge Pay in Hattiesburg: What to Expect (2026)

Hattiesburg offers a median judge salary of $118,424, which is $4,441 below the Mississippi state average of $122,865. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Hattiesburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Hattiesburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $118,424 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $148,030 in an average-cost city. This makes Hattiesburg an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in Hattiesburg spans from $46,400 at the 10th percentile to $184,000 at the 90th percentile — a $137,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,000, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $172,000. Hattiesburg is a smaller market (pop. 48,728), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Hattiesburg by Experience

In Hattiesburg, an entry-level judge earns around $52,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $172,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,000
$-13,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$120,000
$-30,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$172,000
$-43,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hattiesburg, MS

Percentile Hattiesburg
10th Percentile $46,400
25th Percentile $72,000
Median (50th) $118,424
75th Percentile $156,000
90th Percentile $184,000

Judge Salary in Other Mississippi Cities

Jackson, MS
$125,826
Pop. 153,701
Southaven, MS
$124,345
Pop. 55,026
Biloxi, MS
$122,865
Pop. 46,212
Gulfport, MS
$121,385
Pop. 72,926

How to Become a Judge in Hattiesburg

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Hattiesburg and the surrounding Mississippi area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Hattiesburg may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Hattiesburg

Browse open judge positions in Hattiesburg, MS:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Hattiesburg

How much does a Judge make in Hattiesburg, MS? ▼
The median judge salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is $118,424 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $46,400 (10th percentile) to $184,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Hattiesburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,424, a judge in Hattiesburg earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hattiesburg compare to the Mississippi state average for judge pay? ▼
Hattiesburg's median judge salary of $118,424 is 3.6% below the Mississippi state average of $122,865. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hattiesburg, MS? ▼
Hattiesburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $118,424 in Hattiesburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Hattiesburg? ▼
Most judge positions in Hattiesburg require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Interpretation, Judicial Reasoning, Court Procedures, Impartiality. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.