Legal San Antonio, TX Pop. 1,434,625

Judge Salary in San Antonio, Texas

The median judge salary in San Antonio, TX is $130,266 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Texas state average.

City Median
$130,266
vs State Avg
$-5,922
vs National
$-17,764
Cost of Living
88%

Judge Pay in San Antonio: What to Expect (2026)

San Antonio offers a median judge salary of $130,266, which is $5,922 below the Texas state average of $136,188. Compared to the national median of $148,030, San Antonio pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of San Antonio'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 San Antonio an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in San Antonio 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. As a major metro area with a population of 1,434,625, San Antonio typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Judge Salary in San Antonio by Experience

In San Antonio, 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 San Antonio, TX

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

Judge Salary in Other Texas Cities

How to Become a Judge in San Antonio

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. San Antonio and the surrounding Texas 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 San Antonio may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in San Antonio

Browse open judge positions in San Antonio, TX:

Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in San Antonio

How much does a Judge make in San Antonio, TX? ▼
The median judge salary in San Antonio, Texas 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 San Antonio? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $130,266, a judge in San Antonio earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Antonio compare to the Texas state average for judge pay? ▼
San Antonio's median judge salary of $130,266 is 4.3% below the Texas state average of $136,188. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Antonio, TX? ▼
San Antonio has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a judge salary of $130,266 in San Antonio has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in San Antonio? ▼
Most judge positions in San Antonio 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.