Wisconsin Median
$76,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-50% vs US median
US median $153,990
State Rank
#37 of 41
130 employed here
How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make in Wisconsin?
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Wisconsin take home a median of $76,620 annually — roughly $36.84 an hour — which runs 50% below the national median of $153,990.
Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $27,380 while the top 10% make $175,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,230 and $136,640 a year.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary range in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,380 | $13.16 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,230 | $22.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,620 | $36.84 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $136,640 | $65.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,880 | $84.56 |
|
How Wisconsin compares
Wisconsin ranks 37th 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 $83,040West Virginia $63,240Alabama $52,850Michigan $51,210Mississippi $49,960
Working as Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin pay ($76,620) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Wisconsin is $76,620 per year, or about $36.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,380 at the entry level to $175,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates about 50% less than the national median of $153,990. Wisconsin ranks 37th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $76,620 a year. About 130 Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates are employed in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary report
Related salaries
$62,890
median pay · 393,000 employed
$58,650
median pay · 49,000 employed
$64,920
median pay · 13,000 employed
$159,670
median pay · 755,000 employed
$75,530
median pay · 9,000 employed
$72,110
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.