Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (SOC 23-1023) employed 24,030 people in May 2025. The median pay is $153,990 a year ($74.03 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,950 and the highest-paid 10% more than $221,710. BLS projects its employment to change by +2.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Doctoral or professional degree, with 5 years or more experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: Rhode Island ($239,760), Massachusetts ($221,710), Connecticut ($217,760). Most jobs: Texas (2,770), New York (2,270), Ohio (1,720).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| 25th percentile | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Median | $153,990 | $74.03 |
| Mean | $143,830 | $69.15 |
| 75th percentile | $194,950 | $93.73 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $221,710 | $106.59 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 25,300 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 26,000 |
| Change in jobs | 700 |
| Percent change | +2.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 800 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | 5 years or more |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 560 | 1.73 | $52,850 | $37,420 | $110,110 | -66% | 24% |
| Alaska | 140 | 2.86 | $183,310 | $82,160 | $221,220 | +19% | 9% |
| Arizona | 590 | 1.18 | $93,280 | $81,120 | $209,950 | -39% | 22% |
| Arkansas | 240 | 1.20 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | 620 | 1.39 | $198,790 | $170,080 | $219,580 | +29% | 11% |
| Connecticut | 230 | 0.88 | $217,760 | $114,380 | $217,760 | +41% | 9% |
| Delaware | 120 | 1.60 | $131,340 | $93,490 | $211,350 | -15% | 14% |
| Florida | 1,380 | 0.90 | $186,040 | $171,860 | $220,410 | +21% | 12% |
| Georgia | 1,190 | 1.57 | $133,660 | $37,420 | $187,990 | -13% | 14% |
| Hawaii | 120 | 1.22 | $211,810 | $205,300 | $217,110 | +38% | 11% |
| Idaho | 250 | 1.91 | $172,920 | $79,180 | $226,260 | +12% | 10% |
| Indiana | 790 | 1.59 | $183,000 | $58,960 | $183,000 | +19% | 7% |
| Iowa | 410 | 1.68 | $147,510 | $45,470 | $173,670 | -4% | 8% |
| Kansas | 420 | 1.91 | $148,910 | $76,590 | $163,160 | -3% | 9% |
| Kentucky | 370 | 1.19 | $150,650 | $98,230 | $156,550 | -2% | 8% |
| Louisiana | 180 | 0.59 | $83,040 | $24,660 | $143,800 | -46% | 15% |
| Maine | 100 | 0.97 | $161,470 | $55,760 | $165,110 | +5% | 9% |
| Maryland | 170 | 0.40 | $172,190 | $53,210 | $204,420 | +12% | 12% |
| Massachusetts | 610 | 1.08 | $221,710 | $155,450 | $221,710 | +44% | 10% |
| Michigan | 570 | 0.83 | $51,210 | $45,720 | $181,280 | -67% | 27% |
| Minnesota | 590 | 1.30 | $190,110 | $117,520 | $190,110 | +23% | 8% |
| Mississippi | 360 | 2.00 | $49,960 | $27,510 | $165,240 | -68% | 24% |
| Missouri | 600 | 1.32 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | 70 | 0.90 | $84,630 | $44,470 | $123,780 | -45% | 17% |
| Nebraska | 160 | 1.03 | $208,180 | $202,550 | $213,800 | +35% | 6% |
| Nevada | 90 | 0.37 | $166,360 | $57,220 | $227,870 | +8% | 12% |
| New Jersey | 920 | 1.39 | $204,160 | $56,290 | $215,540 | +33% | 11% |
| New Mexico | 250 | 1.83 | $205,400 | $76,260 | $218,030 | +33% | 7% |
| New York | 2,270 | 1.51 | $216,390 | $166,930 | $232,590 | +41% | 9% |
| North Dakota | 130 | 1.90 | $171,100 | $58,040 | $175,960 | +11% | 7% |
| Ohio | 1,720 | 2.01 | $95,260 | $38,330 | $210,440 | -38% | 14% |
| Oregon | 40 | 0.14 | $166,400 | $76,950 | $230,850 | +8% | 12% |
| Rhode Island | 120 | 1.53 | $239,760 | $81,690 | $271,090 | +56% | 7% |
| South Carolina | 670 | 1.87 | $86,210 | $35,950 | $211,840 | -44% | 18% |
| Tennessee | 420 | 0.83 | $208,350 | $64,300 | $221,470 | +35% | 7% |
| Texas | 2,770 | 1.27 | $139,990 | $31,380 | $184,790 | -9% | 13% |
| Utah | 100 | 0.37 | $92,780 | $32,640 | $195,950 | -40% | 21% |
| Vermont | 80 | 1.71 | $194,170 | $57,730 | $194,170 | +26% | 8% |
| Virginia | 1,270 | 2.00 | $104,000 | $62,180 | $213,830 | -32% | 19% |
| Washington | 1,040 | 1.90 | $134,270 | $112,360 | $239,740 | -13% | 16% |
| West Virginia | 350 | 3.20 | $63,240 | $63,240 | $138,590 | -59% | 17% |
| Wisconsin | 130 | 0.30 | $76,620 | $27,380 | $175,880 | -50% | 18% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 420 | $221,710 | $155,450 | $221,710 | 1.01 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,280 | $204,160 | $79,090 | $232,590 | 0.87 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 310 | $198,790 | $170,080 | $219,580 | 1.25 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 360 | $196,890 | $177,150 | $196,890 | 0.82 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 420 | $186,580 | $170,440 | $190,110 | 1.38 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 710 | $153,990 | $137,410 | $167,990 | 3.53 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 550 | $144,790 | $51,650 | $194,530 | 1.23 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 480 | $135,430 | $19,180 | $188,400 | 0.95 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 550 | $135,180 | $112,360 | $248,390 | 1.70 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 330 | $113,440 | $88,150 | $212,730 | 0.89 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 380 | $104,000 | $61,050 | $213,830 | 0.78 |
| Cleveland, OH | 440 | $80,020 | $33,740 | $175,570 | 2.76 |
The median is $153,990 a year ($74.03 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $46,950 and the highest-paid tenth over $221,710 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
24,030 in May 2025, and BLS projects +2.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS).
Rhode Island, with a median of $239,760 (among states with published figures).