Federal judges earn $230K+; state varies widely. Strong pensions are part of the package.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Judge / Magistrates. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $113,900 | $78,700 | $146,200 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $141,600 | $97,800 | $181,700 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $162,800 | $112,500 | $208,900 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $195,300 | $135,000 | $250,600 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $221,400 | $153,000 | $284,100 |
Top 10 states by median Judge / Magistrate salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $228,000 | $173,200 | $296,300 | +40% |
| New York | $219,800 | $167,100 | $285,800 | +35% |
| Massachusetts | $211,700 | $160,900 | $275,200 | +30% |
| Washington | $211,700 | $160,900 | $275,200 | +30% |
| Washington DC | $211,700 | $160,900 | $275,200 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $205,200 | $155,900 | $266,700 | +26% |
| Connecticut | $197,000 | $149,700 | $256,100 | +21% |
| Maryland | $195,400 | $148,500 | $254,000 | +20% |
| Colorado | $190,500 | $144,800 | $247,700 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $185,600 | $141,100 | $241,300 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $138,400 | $105,200 | $179,900 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $136,800 | $103,900 | $177,800 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $136,800 | $103,900 | $177,800 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $136,800 | $103,900 | $177,800 | -16% |
| Alabama | $135,100 | $102,700 | $175,700 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $135,100 | $102,700 | $175,700 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $130,300 | $99,000 | $169,300 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $130,300 | $99,000 | $169,300 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $127,000 | $96,500 | $165,100 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $127,000 | $96,500 | $165,100 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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