Legal Albany, NY Pop. 99,224

Judge Salary in Albany, New York

The median judge salary in Albany, NY is $145,069 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 19.7% below the New York state average.

City Median
$145,069
vs State Avg
$-35,528
vs National
$-2,961
Cost of Living
98%

Judge Pay in Albany: What to Expect (2026)

Albany offers a median judge salary of $145,069, which is $35,528 below the New York state average of $180,597. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Albany pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Albany's cost of living is 98% 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 Albany spans from $56,840 at the 10th percentile to $225,400 at the 90th percentile — a $168,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,700, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $210,700. Albany is a smaller market (pop. 99,224), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Albany by Experience

In Albany, an entry-level judge earns around $63,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $210,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,700
$-1,300 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,000
$-3,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$210,700
$-4,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Albany, NY

Percentile Albany
10th Percentile $56,840
25th Percentile $88,200
Median (50th) $145,069
75th Percentile $191,100
90th Percentile $225,400

Judge Salary in Other New York Cities

How to Become a Judge in Albany

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Albany and the surrounding New York 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 Albany may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Albany

Browse open judge positions in Albany, NY:

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Albany

How much does a Judge make in Albany, NY? ▼
The median judge salary in Albany, New York is $145,069 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $56,840 (10th percentile) to $225,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Albany? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $145,069, a judge in Albany earns approximately $70 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Albany compare to the New York state average for judge pay? ▼
Albany's median judge salary of $145,069 is 19.7% below the New York state average of $180,597. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Albany, NY? ▼
Albany has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $145,069 in Albany has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Albany? ▼
Most judge positions in Albany 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.