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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$208,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$100.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+35% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#6 of 41
420 employed here

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

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Tennessee take home a median of $208,350 annually — roughly $100.17 an hour — which runs 35% above the national median of $153,990.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $64,300 while the top 10% make $221,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $121,120 and $218,190 a year.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$64,300$30.91
25th percentile (early career)$121,120$58.23
50th percentile (median)$208,350$100.17
75th percentile (experienced)$218,190$104.90
90th percentile (top earners)$221,470$106.48

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 6th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($208,350) 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 Tennessee?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Tennessee is $208,350 per year, or about $100.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,300 at the entry level to $221,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 35% more than the national median of $153,990. Tennessee ranks 6th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $208,350 a year. About 420 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.