Legal Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Judge Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median judge salary in Great Falls, MT is $130,266 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$130,266
vs State Avg
$-10,363
vs National
$-17,764
Cost of Living
88%

Judge Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median judge salary of $130,266, which is $10,363 below the Montana state average of $140,629. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $130,266 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $148,030 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in Great Falls spans from $51,040 at the 10th percentile to $202,400 at the 90th percentile — a $151,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $189,200. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level judge earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $189,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$132,000
$-18,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$189,200
$-25,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $51,040
25th Percentile $79,200
Median (50th) $130,266
75th Percentile $171,600
90th Percentile $202,400

Judge Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$170,235
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$150,991
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$142,109
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$139,148
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Judge in Great Falls

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana 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 Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open judge positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Judge make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median judge salary in Great Falls, Montana is $130,266 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $51,040 (10th percentile) to $202,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $130,266, a judge in Great Falls earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for judge pay? ▼
Great Falls's median judge salary of $130,266 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $140,629. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $130,266 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Great Falls? ▼
Most judge positions in Great Falls 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.