Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Median Salary
$139,130
Average (Mean)
$136,441
Employed Nationwide
20,170
VS

Lawyers

Median Salary
$126,733
Average (Mean)
$150,322
Employed Nationwide
713,150
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns $12,396 more (9.8%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $139,130 $126,733
Average (Mean) Salary $136,441 $150,322
Total Employment 20,170 713,150
States with Higher Pay 25 12

Salary by State: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Lawyers

Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pays more in 25 states; Lawyers pays more in 12.

State Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Lawyers Difference
Alabama $49,140
$120,890
$-71,750
Alaska $168,880
$131,760
+$37,120
Arizona $86,040
$132,000
$-45,960
Arkansas $192,900
$90,650
+$102,250
Colorado $183,790
$166,570
+$17,220
Connecticut $205,250
$159,770
+$45,480
Delaware $121,790
$183,380
$-61,590
Florida $156,370
$121,500
+$34,870
Georgia $137,880
$131,090
+$6,790
Hawaii $195,280
$107,990
+$87,290
Indiana $164,820
$121,530
+$43,290
Kansas $148,910
$110,410
+$38,500
Kentucky $130,560
$84,800
+$45,760
Louisiana $100,370
$118,130
$-17,760
Maine $145,640
$98,760
+$46,880
Massachusetts $207,850
$148,370
+$59,480
Michigan $52,680
$121,760
$-69,080
Minnesota $162,990
$149,990
+$13,000
Mississippi $49,770
$94,420
$-44,650
Missouri $150,030
$104,500
+$45,530
Montana $56,730
$94,770
$-38,040
Nebraska $183,550
$108,920
+$74,630
Nevada $178,690
$125,040
+$53,650
New Jersey $196,230
$151,170
+$45,060
New Mexico $154,960
$97,240
+$57,720
New York $196,190
$179,650
+$16,540
North Carolina $152,170
$133,130
+$19,040
North Dakota $155,210
$105,100
+$50,110
Ohio $139,670
$117,500
+$22,170
Oregon $163,470
$137,320
+$26,150
South Carolina $82,340
$97,640
$-15,300
Tennessee $134,080
$126,400
+$7,680
Texas $136,200
$145,000
$-8,800
Utah $87,430
$119,520
$-32,090
Vermont $175,640
$101,400
+$74,240
West Virginia $63,230
$100,810
$-37,580
Wisconsin $87,880
$105,050
$-17,170

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Lawyers?
On average across all states, a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns more than a Lawyers. The national median salary difference is $12,396 (9.8%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn more than a Lawyers?
A Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns a higher median salary than a Lawyers in 25 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Lawyers pays more in 12 states.
What is the median salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Lawyers?
The national median salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates is $139,130 per year, compared to $126,733 for a Lawyers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Lawyers?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 20,170 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates positions and 713,150 Lawyers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Lawyers?
Both Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates and Lawyers 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.