Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary by State
The national median pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is $153,990 a year. By state, it ranges from $49,960 in Mississippi to $239,760 in Rhode Island.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $46,950
- 25th percentile
- $85,710
- Median
- $153,990
- 75th percentile
- $194,950
- Top 10%
- $221,710
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 24,030 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $239,760 | +56% | $81,690 | $271,090 | 120 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $221,710 | +44% | $155,450 | $221,710 | 610 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $217,760 | +41% | $114,380 | $217,760 | 230 |
| 4 | New York | $216,390 | +41% | $166,930 | $232,590 | 2,270 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $211,810 | +38% | $205,300 | $217,110 | 120 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $208,350 | +35% | $64,300 | $221,470 | 420 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $208,180 | +35% | $202,550 | $213,800 | 160 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $205,400 | +33% | $76,260 | $218,030 | 250 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $204,160 | +33% | $56,290 | $215,540 | 920 |
| 10 | Colorado | $198,790 | +29% | $170,080 | $219,580 | 620 |
| 11 | Vermont | $194,170 | +26% | $57,730 | $194,170 | 80 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $190,110 | +23% | $117,520 | $190,110 | 590 |
| 13 | Florida | $186,040 | +21% | $171,860 | $220,410 | 1,380 |
| 14 | Alaska | $183,310 | +19% | $82,160 | $221,220 | 140 |
| 15 | Indiana | $183,000 | +19% | $58,960 | $183,000 | 790 |
| 16 | Idaho | $172,920 | +12% | $79,180 | $226,260 | 250 |
| 17 | Maryland | $172,190 | +12% | $53,210 | $204,420 | 170 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $171,100 | +11% | $58,040 | $175,960 | 130 |
| 19 | Oregon | $166,400 | +8% | $76,950 | $230,850 | 40 |
| 20 | Nevada | $166,360 | +8% | $57,220 | $227,870 | 90 |
| 21 | Maine | $161,470 | +5% | $55,760 | $165,110 | 100 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $150,650 | −2% | $98,230 | $156,550 | 370 |
| 23 | Kansas | $148,910 | −3% | $76,590 | $163,160 | 420 |
| 24 | Iowa | $147,510 | −4% | $45,470 | $173,670 | 410 |
| 25 | Texas | $139,990 | −9% | $31,380 | $184,790 | 2,770 |
| 26 | Washington | $134,270 | −13% | $112,360 | $239,740 | 1,040 |
| 27 | Georgia | $133,660 | −13% | $37,420 | $187,990 | 1,190 |
| 28 | Delaware | $131,340 | −15% | $93,490 | $211,350 | 120 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $110,580 | −28% | $110,580 | $110,580 | Not published |
| 30 | Virginia | $104,000 | −32% | $62,180 | $213,830 | 1,270 |
| 31 | Ohio | $95,260 | −38% | $38,330 | $210,440 | 1,720 |
| 32 | Arizona | $93,280 | −39% | $81,120 | $209,950 | 590 |
| 33 | Utah | $92,780 | −40% | $32,640 | $195,950 | 100 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $86,210 | −44% | $35,950 | $211,840 | 670 |
| 35 | Montana | $84,630 | −45% | $44,470 | $123,780 | 70 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $83,040 | −46% | $24,660 | $143,800 | 180 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $76,620 | −50% | $27,380 | $175,880 | 130 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $63,240 | −59% | $63,240 | $138,590 | 350 |
| 39 | Alabama | $52,850 | −66% | $37,420 | $110,110 | 560 |
| 40 | Michigan | $51,210 | −67% | $45,720 | $181,280 | 570 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $49,960 | −68% | $27,510 | $165,240 | 360 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary questions
Which state pays judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates the most?
Rhode Island, with a median of $239,760 a year (+56% vs. the national median of $153,990). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $49,960 a year (−68% vs. national).
Where do most judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 2,770, with a median of $139,990.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.