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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$104,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-32% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#30 of 41
1,270 employed here

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

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Virginia take home a median of $104,000 annually — roughly $50.00 an hour — which runs 32% below the national median of $153,990.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $62,180 while the top 10% make $213,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,940 and $192,440 a year.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,180$29.89
25th percentile (early career)$68,940$33.14
50th percentile (median)$104,000$50.00
75th percentile (experienced)$192,440$92.52
90th percentile (top earners)$213,830$102.80

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 30th 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($104,000) 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 Virginia?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Virginia is $104,000 per year, or about $50.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,180 at the entry level to $213,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 32% less than the national median of $153,990. Virginia ranks 30th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $104,000 a year. About 1,270 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.