National Salary Overview
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Median Salary
$149,009
Average (Mean)
$143,956
Employed Nationwide
22,370
VS
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns $14,297 more (10.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$149,009
$134,711
Average (Mean) Salary
$143,956
$160,797
Total Employment
22,370
754,500
States with Higher Pay
24
17
Salary by State: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Lawyers
Showing 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pays more in 24 states; Lawyers pays more in 17.
| State | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Lawyers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,850 | $131,970 | $-79,120 | ||
| Alaska | $183,310 | $149,940 | +$33,370 | ||
| Arizona | $93,280 | $134,260 | $-40,980 | ||
| Colorado | $198,790 | $168,520 | +$30,270 | ||
| Connecticut | $217,760 | $163,600 | +$54,160 | ||
| Delaware | $131,340 | $173,510 | $-42,170 | ||
| Florida | $186,040 | $133,180 | +$52,860 | ||
| Georgia | $133,660 | $134,830 | $-1,170 | ||
| Hawaii | $211,810 | $124,990 | +$86,820 | ||
| Idaho | $172,920 | $103,400 | +$69,520 | ||
| Indiana | $183,000 | $126,860 | +$56,140 | ||
| Iowa | $147,510 | $123,550 | +$23,960 | ||
| Kansas | $148,910 | $106,650 | +$42,260 | ||
| Kentucky | $150,650 | $101,550 | +$49,100 | ||
| Louisiana | $83,040 | $104,100 | $-21,060 | ||
| Maine | $161,470 | $113,120 | +$48,350 | ||
| Maryland | $172,190 | $139,110 | +$33,080 | ||
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | $176,680 | +$45,030 | ||
| Michigan | $51,210 | $130,520 | $-79,310 | ||
| Minnesota | $190,110 | $155,140 | +$34,970 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,960 | $91,690 | $-41,730 | ||
| Montana | $84,630 | $103,720 | $-19,090 | ||
| Nebraska | $208,180 | $109,170 | +$99,010 | ||
| Nevada | $166,360 | $150,510 | +$15,850 | ||
| New Jersey | $204,160 | $161,430 | +$42,730 | ||
| New Mexico | $205,400 | $119,680 | +$85,720 | ||
| New York | $216,390 | $207,860 | +$8,530 | ||
| North Dakota | $171,100 | $106,880 | +$64,220 | ||
| Ohio | $95,260 | $131,020 | $-35,760 | ||
| Oregon | $166,400 | $138,210 | +$28,190 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $110,580 | $157,180 | $-46,600 | ||
| Rhode Island | $239,760 | $138,960 | +$100,800 | ||
| South Carolina | $86,210 | $120,310 | $-34,100 | ||
| Tennessee | $208,350 | $136,180 | +$72,170 | ||
| Texas | $139,990 | $154,200 | $-14,210 | ||
| Utah | $92,780 | $132,830 | $-40,050 | ||
| Vermont | $194,170 | $127,310 | +$66,860 | ||
| Virginia | $104,000 | $167,210 | $-63,210 | ||
| Washington | $134,270 | $154,130 | $-19,860 | ||
| West Virginia | $63,240 | $102,420 | $-39,180 | ||
| Wisconsin | $76,620 | $126,760 | $-50,140 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Lawyers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $14,297 (10.6%) based on 2025 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 24 out of 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Lawyers pays more in 17 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 $149,009 per year, compared to $134,711 for a Lawyers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Lawyers?
There are more people employed as Lawyers. BLS reports approximately 22,370 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates positions and 754,500 Lawyers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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