How much does a judge make?
a year · about $74 an hour
A typical judge in the United States makes $153,990 a year, about $74 an hour, about 3× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A judge reads legal papers, then hears both sides in a courtroom and keeps the proceedings fair. The judge applies the law, makes rulings, and explains the law to jurors in a jury trial.
Did you know? US judges may be called at night or on weekends to make urgent decisions, such as approving search warrants or restraining orders.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $46,950 and $221,710How do you become one?
In the US, complete a four-year bachelor’s degree and three years of law school, get a law license, and gain experience as a lawyer. Most judges are then appointed or elected.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay varies with a judge’s court position and jurisdiction: federal law ties some judicial roles’ pay to another judge’s salary, while state salaries vary by position and state. A law license and legal experience are usually needed to qualify.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($221,710), lowest in Michigan ($51,210).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,950 | $153,990 | $221,710 | about 24,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | about 610 |
| New York | $216,390 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $204,160 | about 920 |
| Colorado | $198,790 | about 620 |
| Minnesota | $190,110 | about 590 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/legal/judges-and-hearing-officers.htm
- www.ncsc.org/resources-courts/state-state-tracking-judicial-salaries
- www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/about-federal-judges/judicial-compensation
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY