West Virginia Median
$63,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-59% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#38 of 41
350 employed here
How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make in West Virginia?
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in West Virginia take home a median of $63,240 annually — roughly $30.40 an hour — which runs 59% below the national median of $153,990.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $63,240 while the top 10% make $138,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,240 and $138,590 a year.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $138,590 | $66.63 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,590 | $66.63 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 38th out of 41 states and territories for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in other states
Rhode Island $239,760Massachusetts $221,710Connecticut $217,760New York $216,390Hawaii $211,810Tennessee $208,350Nebraska $208,180New Mexico $205,400New Jersey $204,160Colorado $198,790Vermont $194,170Minnesota $190,110Florida $186,040Alaska $183,310Indiana $183,000Idaho $172,920Maryland $172,190North Dakota $171,100Oregon $166,400Nevada $166,360Maine $161,470Kentucky $150,650Kansas $148,910Iowa $147,510Texas $139,990Washington $134,270Georgia $133,660Delaware $131,340Pennsylvania $110,580Virginia $104,000Ohio $95,260Arizona $93,280Utah $92,780South Carolina $86,210Montana $84,630Louisiana $83,040Wisconsin $76,620Alabama $52,850Michigan $51,210Mississippi $49,960
Working as Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in West 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 West Virginia pay ($63,240) 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 West Virginia?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in West Virginia is $63,240 per year, or about $30.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,240 at the entry level to $138,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 59% less than the national median of $153,990. West Virginia ranks 38th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,240 a year. About 350 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in West 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.