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Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Judicial Law Clerks: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Median Salary
$149,009
Average (Mean)
$143,956
Employed Nationwide
22,370
VS

Judicial Law Clerks

Median Salary
$67,463
Average (Mean)
$70,712
Employed Nationwide
12,870
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns $81,545 more (120.9%)
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Judicial Law Clerks national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Judges, Magistrate Judges, and MagistratesJudges, Magistrate Judges, a…Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates: $149,009$149,009Judicial Law ClerksJudicial Law ClerksJudicial Law Clerks: $67,463$67,463

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $149,009 $67,463
Average (Mean) Salary $143,956 $70,712
Total Employment 22,370 12,870
States with Higher Pay 34 1

Salary by State: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Judicial Law Clerks

Showing 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pays more in 34 states; Judicial Law Clerks pays more in 1.

State Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Judicial Law Clerks Difference
Alaska $183,310
$67,580
+$115,730
Arizona $93,280
$60,170
+$33,110
Colorado $198,790
$67,230
+$131,560
Connecticut $217,760
$98,670
+$119,090
Delaware $131,340
$64,720
+$66,620
Florida $186,040
$55,180
+$130,860
Georgia $133,660
$55,120
+$78,540
Hawaii $211,810
$47,010
+$164,800
Idaho $172,920
$75,540
+$97,380
Indiana $183,000
$57,140
+$125,860
Iowa $147,510
$64,260
+$83,250
Kansas $148,910
$45,720
+$103,190
Louisiana $83,040
$63,180
+$19,860
Maine $161,470
$67,890
+$93,580
Maryland $172,190
$70,110
+$102,080
Massachusetts $221,710
$143,350
+$78,360
Michigan $51,210
$62,260
$-11,050
Minnesota $190,110
$71,070
+$119,040
Montana $84,630
$47,320
+$37,310
Nebraska $208,180
$49,570
+$158,610
Nevada $166,360
$69,600
+$96,760
New Jersey $204,160
$58,890
+$145,270
New York $216,390
$133,320
+$83,070
North Dakota $171,100
$85,530
+$85,570
Ohio $95,260
$49,840
+$45,420
Oregon $166,400
$86,870
+$79,530
Pennsylvania $110,580
$50,590
+$59,990
South Carolina $86,210
$50,330
+$35,880
Tennessee $208,350
$75,190
+$133,160
Texas $139,990
$63,130
+$76,860
Utah $92,780
$51,900
+$40,880
Virginia $104,000
$65,940
+$38,060
Washington $134,270
$80,240
+$54,030
West Virginia $63,240
$52,120
+$11,120
Wisconsin $76,620
$54,250
+$22,370

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Judicial Law Clerks salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Judicial Law Clerks?
On average across all states, a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns more than a Judicial Law Clerks. The national median salary difference is $81,545 (120.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn more than a Judicial Law Clerks?
A Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns a higher median salary than a Judicial Law Clerks in 34 out of 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Judicial Law Clerks pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Judicial Law Clerks?
The national median salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates is $149,009 per year, compared to $67,463 for a Judicial Law Clerks, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Judicial Law Clerks?
There are more people employed as Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates. BLS reports approximately 22,370 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates positions and 12,870 Judicial Law Clerks positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Judicial Law Clerks?
Both Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates and Judicial Law Clerks are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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