Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in North Dakota (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Dakota Median
$171,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$82.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#18 of 41
130 employed here

How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make in North Dakota?

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in North Dakota take home a median of $171,100 annually — roughly $82.26 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $153,990.

Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $58,040 while the top 10% make $175,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $110,580 and $171,100 a year.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in North Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,040$27.90
25th percentile (early career)$110,580$53.16
50th percentile (median)$171,100$82.26
75th percentile (experienced)$171,100$82.26
90th percentile (top earners)$175,960$84.60

How North Dakota compares

North Dakota ranks 18th 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 North Dakota

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 North Dakota pay ($171,100) 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 North Dakota?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in North Dakota is $171,100 per year, or about $82.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,040 at the entry level to $175,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 11% more than the national median of $153,990. North Dakota ranks 18th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $171,100 a year. About 130 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

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median pay · 47,000 employed
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.