Legal Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Judge Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median judge salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $137,668 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$137,668
vs State Avg
$-4,441
vs National
$-10,362
Cost of Living
93%

Judge Pay in Pittsburgh: What to Expect (2026)

Pittsburgh offers a median judge salary of $137,668, which is $4,441 below the Pennsylvania state average of $142,109. Compared to the national median of $148,030, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% 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 Pittsburgh spans from $53,940 at the 10th percentile to $213,900 at the 90th percentile — a $159,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $60,450, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $199,950. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Judge Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level judge earns around $60,450, while experienced professionals earn up to $199,950 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,450
$-4,550 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$139,500
$-10,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$199,950
$-15,050 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $53,940
25th Percentile $83,700
Median (50th) $137,668
75th Percentile $181,350
90th Percentile $213,900

Judge Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

How to Become a Judge in Pittsburgh

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Pittsburgh and the surrounding Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open judge positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Judge make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median judge salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $137,668 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $53,940 (10th percentile) to $213,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $137,668, a judge in Pittsburgh earns approximately $66 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for judge pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median judge salary of $137,668 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $142,109. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $137,668 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most judge positions in Pittsburgh 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.