Legal Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Judge Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median judge salary in Grand Island, NE is $124,345 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$124,345
vs State Avg
$-8,882
vs National
$-23,685
Cost of Living
84%

Judge Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median judge salary of $124,345, which is $8,882 below the Nebraska state average of $133,227. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $124,345 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $148,030 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in Grand Island spans from $48,720 at the 10th percentile to $193,200 at the 90th percentile — a $144,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,600, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $180,600. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level judge earns around $54,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $180,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,600
$-10,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$126,000
$-24,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$180,600
$-34,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $48,720
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $124,345
75th Percentile $163,800
90th Percentile $193,200

Judge Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$137,668
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$136,188
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$133,227
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$127,306
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Judge in Grand Island

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Grand Island and the surrounding Nebraska 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 Grand Island may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open judge positions in Grand Island, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Judge make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median judge salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $124,345 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $48,720 (10th percentile) to $193,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $124,345, a judge in Grand Island earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for judge pay? ▼
Grand Island's median judge salary of $124,345 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $133,227. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $124,345 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Grand Island? ▼
Most judge positions in Grand Island 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.