Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in New Jersey (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$204,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$98.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+33% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#9 of 41
920 employed here

How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make in New Jersey?

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in New Jersey take home a median of $204,160 annually — roughly $98.15 an hour — which runs 33% above the national median of $153,990.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $56,290 while the top 10% make $215,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $103,260 and $204,160 a year.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,290$27.06
25th percentile (early career)$103,260$49.64
50th percentile (median)$204,160$98.15
75th percentile (experienced)$204,160$98.15
90th percentile (top earners)$215,540$103.63

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 9th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($204,160) 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 New Jersey?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in New Jersey is $204,160 per year, or about $98.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,290 at the entry level to $215,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 33% more than the national median of $153,990. New Jersey ranks 9th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $204,160 a year. About 920 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.