National Salary Overview
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Median Salary
$139,130
Average (Mean)
$136,441
Employed Nationwide
20,170
VS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
$58,945
Average (Mean)
$62,659
Employed Nationwide
353,430
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns $80,185 more (136.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$139,130
$58,945
Average (Mean) Salary
$136,441
$62,659
Total Employment
20,170
353,430
States with Higher Pay
36
1
Salary by State: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Showing 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pays more in 36 states; Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 1.
| State | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,140 | $47,780 | +$1,360 | ||
| Alaska | $168,880 | $59,120 | +$109,760 | ||
| Arizona | $86,040 | $61,080 | +$24,960 | ||
| Colorado | $183,790 | $68,860 | +$114,930 | ||
| Connecticut | $205,250 | $69,370 | +$135,880 | ||
| Delaware | $121,790 | $63,930 | +$57,860 | ||
| Florida | $156,370 | $60,650 | +$95,720 | ||
| Georgia | $137,880 | $58,540 | +$79,340 | ||
| Hawaii | $195,280 | $60,460 | +$134,820 | ||
| Indiana | $164,820 | $48,990 | +$115,830 | ||
| Kansas | $148,910 | $47,320 | +$101,590 | ||
| Kentucky | $130,560 | $49,800 | +$80,760 | ||
| Louisiana | $100,370 | $48,210 | +$52,160 | ||
| Maine | $145,640 | $59,370 | +$86,270 | ||
| Massachusetts | $207,850 | $70,570 | +$137,280 | ||
| Michigan | $52,680 | $59,970 | $-7,290 | ||
| Minnesota | $162,990 | $62,590 | +$100,400 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,770 | $38,450 | +$11,320 | ||
| Missouri | $150,030 | $59,890 | +$90,140 | ||
| Montana | $56,730 | $56,400 | +$330 | ||
| Nebraska | $183,550 | $58,080 | +$125,470 | ||
| Nevada | $178,690 | $62,700 | +$115,990 | ||
| New Jersey | $196,230 | $68,370 | +$127,860 | ||
| New Mexico | $154,960 | $52,000 | +$102,960 | ||
| New York | $196,190 | $73,740 | +$122,450 | ||
| North Carolina | $152,170 | $52,000 | +$100,170 | ||
| North Dakota | $155,210 | $54,490 | +$100,720 | ||
| Ohio | $139,670 | $53,330 | +$86,340 | ||
| Oregon | $163,470 | $63,410 | +$100,060 | ||
| South Carolina | $82,340 | $47,790 | +$34,550 | ||
| Tennessee | $134,080 | $50,510 | +$83,570 | ||
| Texas | $136,200 | $58,740 | +$77,460 | ||
| Utah | $87,430 | $52,000 | +$35,430 | ||
| Vermont | $175,640 | $61,880 | +$113,760 | ||
| Washington | $132,350 | $69,260 | +$63,090 | ||
| West Virginia | $63,230 | $50,840 | +$12,390 | ||
| Wisconsin | $87,880 | $53,040 | +$34,840 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
On average across all states, a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns more than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants. The national median salary difference is $80,185 (136.0%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earn more than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
A Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns a higher median salary than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in 36 out of 37 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 1 states.
What is the median salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
The national median salary for a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates is $139,130 per year, compared to $58,945 for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
There are more people employed as Paralegals and Legal Assistants. BLS reports approximately 20,170 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates positions and 353,430 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Both Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates and Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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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