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Magistrate salary
Average magistrate salary
$210,238
Understanding Magistrate Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a magistrate stands at $210,238 per year, equivalent to about $101 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and local demand for magistrates. For instance, magistrates in urban areas often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for legal services.
Salary by State
The salary range for magistrates differs from state to state. For example, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries, reflecting their larger legal systems and population sizes. Conversely, rural areas might see lower average salaries but could provide unique opportunities for those looking to establish a career in less populated regions.
Career Prospects
Magistrates are essential in various legal proceedings, including civil, criminal, and family law. With experience, many magistrates advance to higher positions within the judicial system, such as judges or legal advisors. This career path offers a chance to impact the legal landscape significantly while enjoying a competitive salary.
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Where can a Magistrate earn more?
Average magistrate salary by state
The highest-paying states for magistrates are Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The lowest average magistrate salary states are Indiana, Arizona, and Maine.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for magistrates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $211,691 | $101.77 |
| 2 | Tennessee | $205,012 | $98.56 |
| 3 | Georgia | $206,229 | $99.15 |
| 4 | Arkansas | $206,146 | $99.11 |
| 5 | New Mexico | $209,974 | $100.95 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | $206,520 | $99.29 |
| 7 | Michigan | $201,401 | $96.83 |
| 8 | Kansas | $202,825 | $97.51 |
| 9 | Iowa | $199,871 | $96.09 |
| 10 | Florida | $198,246 | $95.31 |
| 11 | Illinois | $201,253 | $96.76 |
| 12 | Mississippi | $189,705 | $91.20 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $180,963 | $87.00 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $178,501 | $85.82 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $180,144 | $86.61 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $197,647 | $95.02 |
| 17 | New York | $197,504 | $94.95 |
| 18 | Missouri | $182,307 | $87.65 |
| 19 | Alabama | $175,817 | $84.53 |
| 20 | Louisiana | $177,408 | $85.29 |
| 21 | Utah | $177,177 | $85.18 |
| 22 | Colorado | $179,313 | $86.21 |
| 23 | Ohio | $167,513 | $80.54 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $170,918 | $82.17 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $167,822 | $80.68 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $168,374 | $80.95 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $169,485 | $81.48 |
| 28 | Nevada | $164,828 | $79.24 |
| 29 | Alaska | $166,237 | $79.92 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $164,825 | $79.24 |
| 31 | Massachusetts | $164,441 | $79.06 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $162,305 | $78.03 |
| 33 | Delaware | $165,703 | $79.66 |
| 34 | Connecticut | $165,612 | $79.62 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | $163,707 | $78.71 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $161,103 | $77.45 |
| 37 | Maryland | $165,914 | $79.77 |
| 38 | Vermont | $161,201 | $77.50 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $166,172 | $79.89 |
| 40 | Oregon | $160,201 | $77.02 |
| 41 | Montana | $155,478 | $74.75 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $145,759 | $70.08 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $145,887 | $70.14 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $158,228 | $76.07 |
| 45 | Indiana | $143,950 | $69.21 |
| 46 | Maine | $140,274 | $67.44 |
| 47 | Arizona | $141,054 | $67.81 |
| 48 | Virginia | $144,082 | $69.27 |
| 49 | Idaho | $127,295 | $61.20 |
| 50 | California | $137,555 | $66.13 |
| 51 | Washington | $128,291 | $61.68 |
Highest paying cities for magistrates
The highest-paying cities for magistrates are Port Saint Lucie, FL, Brownsville, TX, and Las Cruces, NM.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Port Saint Lucie, FL | $321,972 | $154.79 |
| 2 | Brownsville, TX | $301,344 | $144.88 |
| 3 | Las Cruces, NM | $274,013 | $131.74 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $218,970 | $105.27 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $197,339 | $94.87 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $197,295 | $94.85 |
| 7 | Charlotte, NC | $159,292 | $76.58 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $137,979 | $66.34 |
Magistrate salary details
A magistrate's salary ranges from $123,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $358,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a magistrate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $358,000 | $29,833 | $172 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $23,167 | $134 |
| Average | $210,238 | $17,520 | $101 |
| 25th Percentile | $158,000 | $13,167 | $76 |
| 10th Percentile | $123,000 | $10,250 | $59 |
Highest paying magistrate jobs
The highest paying types of magistrates are county court judge, judge, and magisterial district judge.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judge | $123,457 | $10,288 | $59.35 | 1,026 |
Top companies hiring magistrates now:
Which companies pay magistrates the most?
Magistrate salaries at U.S. District Court and City of Jacksonville are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average magistrate salary at companies like United States Courts and City of Jacksonville, Florida - Government are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. District Court | $212,100 | $101.97 |
| 2 | City of Jacksonville | $138,878 | $66.77 |
| 3 | United States Courts | $132,272 | $63.59 |
| 4 | City of Jacksonville, Florida - Government | $131,685 | $63.31 |
| 5 | NC.gov | $108,498 | $52.16 |
| 6 | State Of Florida | $62,184 | $29.90 |
| 7 | Florida Department of Transportation | $53,133 | $25.54 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Magistrate salary trends
The average magistrate salary has risen by $31,220 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average magistrate earned $179,018 annually, but today, they earn $210,238 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for magistrates over the last decade.
Compare magistrate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average magistrate salary over time
Compare magistrate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Magistrate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $210,000 | $101.08 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $204,000 | $98.09 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $200,000 | $95.95 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | $199,000 | $95.89 | +5.9% |
| 2022 | $188,000 | $90.19 | -0.8% |
Recently added magistrate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of North Carolina | Magistrate | Polkville, NC | 06/26/2025 | $63,228 |
| United States Courts | Magistrate Judge | Columbus, OH | 05/16/2025 | $227,608 |
| State of North Carolina | Magistrate | Charlotte, NC | 05/03/2025 | $63,228 |
| State of North Carolina | Magistrate | Greensboro, NC | 04/29/2025 | $63,228 |
| City of Martinsburg, Wv | Magistrate | Martinsburg, WV | 03/25/2025 | $39,277 |
| City of Tucson (Az | City Magistrate | Tucson, AZ | 03/18/2025 | $155,607 |
| State of North Carolina | Magistrate | Charlotte, NC | 03/10/2025 | $63,228 |
| Jefferson County (Al | Magistrate | Birmingham, AL | 02/24/2025 | $52,624 |
| Minnesota Judicial Branch | 10Th District Child Support Magistrate | Anoka, MN | 02/21/2025 | $171,091 |
| Virginia | Magistrate | Enon, VA | 02/17/2025 | $50,426 |
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