Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Alabama (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Alabama, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$52,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-66% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#39 of 41
560 employed here

How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make in Alabama?

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates working in Alabama earn a median salary of $52,850 per year, or about $25.41 per hour. That is 66% below the national median of $153,990 for this occupation.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $37,420 while the top 10% make $110,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,660 and $77,310 a year.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,420$17.99
25th percentile (early career)$41,660$20.03
50th percentile (median)$52,850$25.41
75th percentile (experienced)$77,310$37.17
90th percentile (top earners)$110,110$52.94

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 39th out of 41 states and territories for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Rhode Island$239,760
2Massachusetts$221,710
3Connecticut$217,760
4New York$216,390
5Hawaii$211,810

Working as Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Alabama

Nationally, about 24,000 people work as Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in the United States. A doctoral or professional degree (8 or more years of higher education) is required.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($52,850) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make in Alabama?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Alabama is $52,850 per year, or about $25.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,420 at the entry level to $110,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 66% less than the national median of $153,990. Alabama ranks 39th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,850 a year. About 560 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.