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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$139,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$67.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#25 of 41
2,770 employed here

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

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Texas take home a median of $139,990 annually — roughly $67.30 an hour — which runs 9% below the national median of $153,990.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $31,380 while the top 10% make $184,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,190 and $167,990 a year.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,380$15.09
25th percentile (early career)$82,190$39.51
50th percentile (median)$139,990$67.30
75th percentile (experienced)$167,990$80.76
90th percentile (top earners)$184,790$88.84

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 25th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($139,990) 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 Texas?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Texas is $139,990 per year, or about $67.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,380 at the entry level to $184,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 9% less than the national median of $153,990. Texas ranks 25th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $139,990 a year. About 2,770 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.