How Much Does a Judge Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$153,990
Judges in the U.S. earn a median of $153,990 a year, or $74.03 an hour. Half of judges earn more than $153,990 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $221,710.
Pay percentiles for judges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.57 | $46,950 |
| 25th | $41.21 | $85,710 |
| 50th (median) | $74.03 | $153,990 |
| 75th | $93.73 | $194,950 |
| 90th | $106.59 | $221,710 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (SOC 23-1023). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for judges
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $239,760 | $115.27 | +56% |
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | $106.59 | +44% |
| Connecticut | $217,760 | $104.69 | +41% |
| New York | $216,390 | $104.03 | +41% |
| Hawaii | $211,810 | $101.83 | +38% |
| Tennessee | $208,350 | $100.17 | +35% |
| Nebraska | $208,180 | $100.09 | +35% |
| New Mexico | $205,400 | $98.75 | +33% |
| New Jersey | $204,160 | $98.15 | +33% |
| Colorado | $198,790 | $95.57 | +29% |
| United States | $153,990 | $74.03 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many judges are there?
BLS counts about 24,030 judges employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates”. The most jobs are in Texas (2,770), New York (2,270) and Ohio (1,720).
The mean (average) annual wage is $143,830, lower than the median of $153,990.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $12,833
- Biweekly
- $5,923
- Weekly
- $2,961
- Daily (8 hours)
- $592
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do judges make an hour?
The median hourly wage for judges is $74.03. The middle 50% earn between $41.21 and $93.73 an hour.
Which state pays judges the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median wage for judges at $239,760, +56% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for judges?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of judges earn less than $46,950 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.