Judges
Overview
Introduction
Judges are elected or appointed officials who preside over federal, state, county, and municipal courts. They apply the law to citizens and businesses and oversee court proceedings according to the established law. Judges also give new rulings on issues not previously decided. Approximately 41,700 judges work in all levels of the judicial branch of the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Judges earned median annual salaries of $148,910 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Salaries ranged from less than $45,950 to more than $210,890. Fifty percent of judges earned between $84,300 and $182,200.
According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, federal district court judges earned an average of $243,300 in 2024. Federal circuit judges averaged $2...
Work Environment
Judges work in offices and courtrooms. The work can be stressful and demanding, with long hours spent in the court or hearing room listening to cases. Some individuals may be difficult and confrontational, adding to the stress of the job. Some judges may have to work evenings and weekend hours, depending on the schedule of the courthouses. Judges also may get phone calls at night or over weeken...
Outlook
Employment for judges is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). As the DOL notes, judges "play an essential role in the legal system, and their services will continue to be needed into the future." There will be employment growth as a result of demographic shifts in the U.S. population; more judges will be...