Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Charleston, WV
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $103,940 a year ($49.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,590 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $153,990. Pay here is 64% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $63,240. There are 0.41 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,850, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| 25th percentile | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Median | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| 75th percentile | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,590 | $71.92 |
| Average (mean) | $103,850 | $49.93 |
Half of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,661.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,330.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,997.69 |
| Weekly | $1,998.85 |
| Hourly | $49.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $107,180 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,000 | 380 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $63,240 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $239,760 |
| Massachusetts | $221,710 |
| Connecticut | $217,760 |
| New York | $216,390 |
| Hawaii | $211,810 |
| Tennessee | $208,350 |
| Nebraska | $208,180 |
| New Mexico | $205,400 |
| New Jersey | $204,160 |
| Colorado | $198,790 |
See Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $54,780 | $26.34 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $78,530 | $37.76 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Charleston, WV?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the Charleston, WV metro area is $103,940 a year, or $49.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $149,590 a year. The top 25% earn $138,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,240 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $63,240 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Charleston, WV?
About 40 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.