The median pay for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates is $153,990 a year ($74.03/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.8% through 2035, with about 800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
- SOC 23-1023
- Legal
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Judge in four numbers
- Median pay
- $153,990a year, or $74.03/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $222K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80025,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202525.3K
- Projected 203526K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 25.3K Projected 2035 26K - Typical education
- Doctorateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate0.2%
- Some college0.2%
- Associate's0.2%
- Professional degree23.3%
- Doctorate66.5%
- Post-doctoral training9.8%
Highest education held by judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates Segment Value Certificate 0.2% Some college 0.2% Associate's 0.2% Professional degree 23.3% Doctorate 66.5% Post-doctoral training 9.8%
Also advertised as: Circuit Court Judge, Circuit Judge, County Judge, Court of Appeals Judge, District Court Judge, Judge.
Pay
How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make?
Every judge in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$153,990
Middle half earn $85,710 to $194,950
- 10th
- $46,950
- 25th
- $85,710
- 75th
- $194,950
- 90th
- $221,710
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,950 |
| 25th | $85,710 |
| Median | $153,990 |
| 75th | $194,950 |
| 90th | $221,710 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $153,990
- Median hourly wage
- $74.03/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $143,830
- People employed
- 24,030
Versus all US occupations
At $153,990, Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn 202% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $103,010 a year.
Versus legal occupations
Inside the Legal group, where the middle occupation pays $159,670, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $221,710 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,950, a gap of 4.7×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 93% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Rhode Island pays the most at $239,760, and still leads at $234,415 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rhode Island | $239,760 | $234,415 | 120 |
| 2Massachusetts | $221,710 | $209,641 | 610 |
| 3Connecticut | $217,760 | $210,173 | 230 |
| 4New York | $216,390 | $200,508 | 2,270 |
| 5Hawaii | $211,810 | $192,640 | 120 |
| 6Tennessee | $208,350 | $226,788 | 420 |
| 7Nebraska | $208,180 | $231,047 | 160 |
| 8New Mexico | $205,400 | $222,748 | 250 |
| 9New Jersey | $204,160 | $187,638 | 920 |
| 10Colorado | $198,790 | $192,903 | 620 |
Job outlook
Is Judge a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | +2.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 3.2% of the 25,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of judges and hearing officers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for judges and hearing officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of judges and hearing officers varies by occupation (see table).
Getting in
How to become a Judge
Judges and hearing officers typically need a law degree and work experience as a lawyer. However, specific requirements may vary.
Most judges and magistrates must be appointed or elected to their positions, a process that often requires political support. Many local and state judges are appointed to serve fixed, renewable terms that may have mandatory retirement ages ranging from 65 to 75. Federal and some state judges are appointed for life. Judicial nominating commissions screen candidates for judgeships in many states and for some federal judgeships.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Doctoral or professional degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates.
- Doctoral Degree66.5%
- First Professional Degree23.3%
- Post-Doctoral Training9.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate0.2%
- Some College Courses0.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 66.5% |
| First Professional Degree | 23.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 9.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 0.2% |
| Some College Courses | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Judge do?
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
Judges and hearing officers oversee legal matters in court or administrative proceedings. They may conduct pretrial hearings, facilitate negotiations between opposing parties, and issue legal decisions.
Day-to-day tasks
- Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
- Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
- Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
- Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
- Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
- Issue arrest warrants.
- Write decisions on cases.
- Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most judges and hearing officers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Some courthouses have evening and weekend hours. In addition, judges may have to be on call during nights or weekends to issue emergency orders, such as search warrants or restraining orders.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work
Share of jobs by employer type
- State government, excluding education and hospitals53%
- Federal government31%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals15%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 53% |
| Federal government | 31% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 15% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening5.0
- Critical Thinking4.9
- Reading Comprehension4.3
- Writing4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Active Learning4.0
- Monitoring3.9
- Learning Strategies2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 5.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.3 |
| Writing | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.3
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Time Management3.4
- Negotiation3.3
- Coordination3.0
- Persuasion3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Negotiation | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser software
- Legal management software
- Video conferencing software
- Web page creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Judge?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Judge |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising5.3
- Conventional4.1
- Social4.0
- Investigative3.8
- Realistic2.3
- Artistic2.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Judge
O*NET related occupations
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Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, and Hearing Officer
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Most earn $61K to $207K
0.0%Doctorate - Legal
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More legal careers
Median annual pay, with judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates highlighted
- Lawyer$159,670
- BigLaw Equity Partner$159,670
- Non-Equity Partner$159,670
- BigLaw Senior Associate$159,670
- Public Company General Counsel$159,670
- Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney$159,670
- Capital Markets Attorney$159,670
- Judge$153,990
- Paralegal$62,890
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Lawyer | $159,670 |
| BigLaw Equity Partner | $159,670 |
| Non-Equity Partner | $159,670 |
| BigLaw Senior Associate | $159,670 |
| Public Company General Counsel | $159,670 |
| Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney | $159,670 |
| Capital Markets Attorney | $159,670 |
| Judge | $153,990 |
| Paralegal | $62,890 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within judge
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Questions
Judge: frequently asked questions
How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make?
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn a median of $153,990 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 202% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $74.03/hr. The middle half earn between $85,710 and $194,950. The top 10% earn $221,710 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Judge?
Yes, and beyond a bachelor's: BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry requirement for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 66.5% hold doctoral degree.
Is Judge a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Judge do?
Judges and hearing officers oversee legal matters in court or administrative proceedings. A core O*NET task: monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed. Employers most often ask for Document management software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates the most?
The highest state medians for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are Rhode Island ($239,760), Massachusetts ($221,710), Connecticut ($217,760) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Judge?
O*NET scores Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ESTJ, ENTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.