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Best States for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: Highest-paid Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates by State

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    Carter A
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Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates play a crucial role in the legal system by interpreting and applying the law to ensure fair and just outcomes in court cases.

This article will explore the best states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.

Key Takeaways

  • The highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are in Illinois, where they earn an average of $215,530 per year.
  • The lowest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are in Florida, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
  • The U.S. average salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is $129,849 per year.

1. Illinois ($215,530)

Illinois Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Illinois earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Illinois is $215,530, which is +66% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$215,530
10th Percentile$175,700
25th Percentile$205,460
75th Percentile$229,820
90th Percentile$231,780

2. California ($214,980)

California Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in California earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in California is $214,980, which is +66% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$214,980
10th Percentile$191,320
25th Percentile$214,320
75th Percentile$223,830
90th Percentile$-3

3. Rhode Island ($203,060)

Rhode Island Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Rhode Island earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Rhode Island is $203,060, which is +56% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$203,060
10th Percentile$105,210
25th Percentile$181,200
75th Percentile$224,140
90th Percentile$233,900

4. Hawaii ($203,050)

Hawaii Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Hawaii earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Hawaii is $203,050, which is +56% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$203,050
10th Percentile$201,470
25th Percentile$201,470
75th Percentile$204,060
90th Percentile$204,060

5. Nebraska ($177,020)

Nebraska Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Nebraska earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Nebraska is $177,020, which is +36% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$177,020
10th Percentile$173,380
25th Percentile$173,380
75th Percentile$178,200
90th Percentile$183,020

6. New York ($175,690)

New York Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in New York earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in New York is $175,690, which is +35% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$175,690
10th Percentile$69,400
25th Percentile$132,760
75th Percentile$229,270
90th Percentile$237,240

7. Maryland ($171,970)

Maryland Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Maryland earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Maryland is $171,970, which is +32% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$171,970
10th Percentile$148,100
25th Percentile$164,550
75th Percentile$187,300
90th Percentile$188,040

8. Connecticut ($169,180)

Connecticut Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Connecticut earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Connecticut is $169,180, which is +30% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$169,180
10th Percentile$70,460
25th Percentile$161,950
75th Percentile$195,480
90th Percentile$195,480

9. Massachusetts ($167,870)

Massachusetts Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Massachusetts earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts is $167,870, which is +29% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$167,870
10th Percentile$143,770
25th Percentile$143,770
75th Percentile$180,190
90th Percentile$180,190

10. New Jersey ($165,290)

New Jersey Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in New Jersey earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in New Jersey is $165,290, which is +27% from the national average.
TypeAnnual Salary
Median Wage$165,290
10th Percentile$50,010
25th Percentile$98,180
75th Percentile$229,980
90th Percentile$234,700

Conclusion

The highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are in Illinois, where they earn an average of $215,530 per year. The lowest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are in Florida, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is $129,849 per year and there are 28,900 jobs in the field.