National Salary Overview
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Median Salary
$149,009
Average (Mean)
$143,956
Employed Nationwide
22,370
VS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
$62,103
Average (Mean)
$65,956
Employed Nationwide
392,910
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates earns $86,905 more (139.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$149,009
$62,103
Average (Mean) Salary
$143,956
$65,956
Total Employment
22,370
392,910
States with Higher Pay
40
1
Salary by State: Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Showing 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pays more in 40 states; Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 1.
| State | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,850 | $47,260 | +$5,590 | ||
| Alaska | $183,310 | $68,700 | +$114,610 | ||
| Arizona | $93,280 | $61,630 | +$31,650 | ||
| Colorado | $198,790 | $78,190 | +$120,600 | ||
| Connecticut | $217,760 | $63,820 | +$153,940 | ||
| Delaware | $131,340 | $63,110 | +$68,230 | ||
| Florida | $186,040 | $61,000 | +$125,040 | ||
| Georgia | $133,660 | $62,400 | +$71,260 | ||
| Hawaii | $211,810 | $62,840 | +$148,970 | ||
| Idaho | $172,920 | $49,690 | +$123,230 | ||
| Indiana | $183,000 | $57,030 | +$125,970 | ||
| Iowa | $147,510 | $54,550 | +$92,960 | ||
| Kansas | $148,910 | $55,000 | +$93,910 | ||
| Kentucky | $150,650 | $59,830 | +$90,820 | ||
| Louisiana | $83,040 | $60,250 | +$22,790 | ||
| Maine | $161,470 | $62,420 | +$99,050 | ||
| Maryland | $172,190 | $65,640 | +$106,550 | ||
| Massachusetts | $221,710 | $77,640 | +$144,070 | ||
| Michigan | $51,210 | $62,170 | $-10,960 | ||
| Minnesota | $190,110 | $75,570 | +$114,540 | ||
| Mississippi | $49,960 | $46,180 | +$3,780 | ||
| Montana | $84,630 | $57,290 | +$27,340 | ||
| Nebraska | $208,180 | $63,250 | +$144,930 | ||
| Nevada | $166,360 | $64,680 | +$101,680 | ||
| New Jersey | $204,160 | $71,500 | +$132,660 | ||
| New Mexico | $205,400 | $59,840 | +$145,560 | ||
| New York | $216,390 | $68,410 | +$147,980 | ||
| North Dakota | $171,100 | $59,430 | +$111,670 | ||
| Ohio | $95,260 | $60,420 | +$34,840 | ||
| Oregon | $166,400 | $61,490 | +$104,910 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $110,580 | $63,370 | +$47,210 | ||
| Rhode Island | $239,760 | $56,250 | +$183,510 | ||
| South Carolina | $86,210 | $53,880 | +$32,330 | ||
| Tennessee | $208,350 | $58,820 | +$149,530 | ||
| Texas | $139,990 | $62,310 | +$77,680 | ||
| Utah | $92,780 | $63,220 | +$29,560 | ||
| Vermont | $194,170 | $67,160 | +$127,010 | ||
| Virginia | $104,000 | $63,990 | +$40,010 | ||
| Washington | $134,270 | $79,400 | +$54,870 | ||
| West Virginia | $63,240 | $59,000 | +$4,240 | ||
| Wisconsin | $76,620 | $58,500 | +$18,120 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $86,905 (139.9%) based on 2025 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 40 out of 41 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 $149,009 per year, compared to $62,103 for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants, according to 2025 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 22,370 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates positions and 392,910 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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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