Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

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.

Salary by State

State Name Employment Annual Salary Hourly Salary
Alabama 560 $61,350 $29.50
Alaska 180 $149,090 $71.68
Arizona 750 $100,330 $48.24
Arkansas 210 $161,800 $77.79
California 1,510 $206,790 $99.42
Colorado 620 $159,740 $76.80
Connecticut 200 $174,180 $83.74
Delaware 120 $141,400 $67.98
Georgia 1,040 $105,280 $50.62
Hawaii 120 $213,120 $102.46
Idaho 240 $119,720 $57.56
Illinois 1,010 $210,120 $101.02
Indiana 760 $137,190 $65.96
Kansas 440 $96,400 $46.34
Kentucky 270 $134,610 $64.71
Louisiana 110 $98,450 $47.33
Maine 80 $118,340 $56.90
Maryland 550 $166,300 $79.95
Massachusetts 980 $159,570 $76.72
Michigan 600 $85,820 $41.26
Minnesota 600 $140,310 $67.46
Mississippi 280 $62,890 $30.24
Missouri 520 $148,610 $71.45
Montana 80 $94,620 $45.49
Nevada 230 $164,010 $78.85
New Jersey 970 $165,430 $79.53
New Mexico 320 $95,000 $45.67
New York 3,420 $165,030 $79.34
Ohio 2,520 $108,000 $51.92
Oklahoma 960 $87,640 $42.14
Oregon 360 $128,310 $61.69
Rhode Island 120 $195,210 $93.85
South Carolina 640 $92,650 $44.55
South Dakota 30 $93,160 $44.79
Tennessee 450 $128,220 $61.65
Texas 2,340 $114,320 $54.96
Utah 120 $87,320 $41.98
Vermont 60 $141,710 $68.13
Washington 990 $138,840 $66.75
West Virginia 310 $89,520 $43.04
Wisconsin 130 $95,920 $46.12

Education

The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of law, for taking state and national bar examinations, and for advanced research in jurisprudence. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of the legal system, including the statutory, administrative, and judicial components of civil and criminal law.

Doctorate Degree
Faulkner University
Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL
Doctorate Degree
Samford University
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Doctorate Degree
Doctorate Degree
  • $142,520 per year
    National average salary
    Declining
    Job growth rate
  • Doctoral or professional degree
    Typical education requirement
  • 5 years or more
    Typical experience requirement
  • Short-term on-the-job training
    Typical on-the-job training requirement

Educational Attainment

The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates.

  • Less than high school 0%
  • High school graduate 0%
  • College dropout 1%
  • Associate’s degree 0%
  • Bachelor’s degree 6%
  • Master’s degree 4%
  • Doctorate degree 89%

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