Judge Salary in 2026
Preside over legal proceedings, hear evidence, and make decisions based on law.
Median Salary
$153,990
$12,833/mo
Entry Level
$109,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$202,900
experienced
Job Growth
+1%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (SOC 23-1023) at a national median of $153,990 per year (mean $143,830), or $74.03 per hour, with 24,030 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Judge Overview
Preside over legal proceedings, hear evidence, and make decisions based on law.
Education
J.D.
Experience
10+ years
Industry
Law
Total Jobs (US)
24K
5-Year Growth
+3%
Category
Law
Hourly Rate
$74.03/hr
Monthly Pay
$12,833
Judge Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Judge salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Judge Salary
$171,000
$14,250/month · $6,577/biweekly · $82.21/hr
Judge Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Judge field.
Entry-level Judges earn around $109,200, while the top 10% earn $247,100 or more.
Top Paying States for Judges
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $182,000 | +$28,010 |
| New York | $177,000 | +$23,010 |
| Illinois | $160,000 | +$6,010 |
| Texas | $151,000 | $-2,990 |
| Florida | $151,000 | $-2,990 |
Top Paying Cities for Judges
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $182,000 | +$28,010 |
| Los Angeles | $172,000 | +$18,010 |
| Chicago | $162,000 | +$8,010 |
| Miami | $157,000 | +$3,010 |
| Houston | $152,000 | $-1,990 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Judge Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Judge from entry level to expert.
$109,200
0-2 years
$156,000
3-7 years
$202,900
8-14 years
$291,300
15+ years
Related Law Jobs
Judge Salary FAQ
How much does a Judge make in 2026?
The median salary for a Judge in the United States is $153,990 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (SOC 23-1023); the mean is $143,830. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $109,200, senior professionals around $202,900, and top earners at $291,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Judge?
A Judge typically requires a J.D. with 10+ years of experience. Key skills include Legal Analysis, Courtroom Management, Constitutional Law. Relevant certifications such as Bar Admission or Judicial Appointment can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Judges?
The job market for Judges is projected to grow by 1% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 24K Judge positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 3%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Judges the most?
The highest-paying states for Judges include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $182,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Judge salary?
To increase your Judge salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Legal Analysis and Courtroom Management. Pursue certifications such as Bar Admission. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 10+ years of experience, you can progress from $109,200 to $202,900 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Judge Salary
How we calculate Judge salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (SOC 23-1023), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $153,990, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates; BLS mean $143,830; BLS hourly median $74.03.
- Entry-level ($109,200) and senior-level ($202,900) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +1% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 24,030 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 3% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Law sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: J.D., per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $153,990; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Judge compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Judge job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Law
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Judge salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Legal Analysis, Courtroom Management, Constitutional Law), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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