Legal Saint Louis, MO Pop. 301,578

Judge Salary in Saint Louis, Missouri

The median judge salary in Saint Louis, MO is $133,227 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$133,227
vs State Avg
+$2,961
vs National
$-14,803
Cost of Living
90%

Judge Pay in Saint Louis: What to Expect (2026)

Saint Louis offers a median judge salary of $133,227, which is $2,961 above the Missouri state average of $130,266. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Saint Louis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Saint Louis's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for judges in Saint Louis spans from $52,200 at the 10th percentile to $207,000 at the 90th percentile — a $154,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,500, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $193,500. With a population of 301,578, Saint Louis is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Judge Salary in Saint Louis by Experience

In Saint Louis, an entry-level judge earns around $58,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $193,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$58,500
$-6,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$135,000
$-15,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$193,500
$-21,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Saint Louis, MO

Percentile Saint Louis
10th Percentile $52,200
25th Percentile $81,000
Median (50th) $133,227
75th Percentile $175,500
90th Percentile $207,000

Judge Salary in Other Missouri Cities

How to Become a Judge in Saint Louis

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Saint Louis and the surrounding Missouri 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 Saint Louis may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Saint Louis

Browse open judge positions in Saint Louis, MO:

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Saint Louis

How much does a Judge make in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
The median judge salary in Saint Louis, Missouri is $133,227 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $52,200 (10th percentile) to $207,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Saint Louis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $133,227, a judge in Saint Louis earns approximately $64 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Saint Louis compare to the Missouri state average for judge pay? ▼
Saint Louis's median judge salary of $133,227 is 2.3% above the Missouri state average of $130,266. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Saint Louis, MO? ▼
Saint Louis has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $133,227 in Saint Louis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Saint Louis? ▼
Most judge positions in Saint Louis 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.