Judges' salaries vary depending on their jurisdiction and level of court. Here are some key figures as of 2025: Federal Judges in the United States:
- District Judges earn about $247,400 per year.
- Circuit Judges earn about $262,300 per year.
- Associate Justices of the Supreme Court earn about $303,600 per year.
- The Chief Justice earns about $317,500 per year
State Judges (examples):
- In Maryland, District Court Judges earn approximately $191,333 annually, while Supreme Court Justices earn about $226,433, and the Chief Justice about $245,433
- In Ohio, Common Pleas Judges earn between roughly $133,850 and $163,792 depending on experience, and Supreme Court Justices earn between $156,150 and $164,000
Other Data:
- The average salary for a judge in the United States reported by Indeed is around $77,043, but this likely includes lower-level judges and magistrates
- Salaries have generally increased over recent years, reflecting cost-of-living adjustments and statutory changes
In summary, federal judges typically earn between approximately $247,000 and $317,000 annually, while state judges' salaries vary widely but generally range from about $130,000 to $245,000 depending on the state and court level.
