Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Iowa
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Iowa earn a median of $147,510 a year ($70.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,670 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $153,990. Iowa ranks 24th of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.26 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $113,160, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| 25th percentile | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Median | $147,510 | $70.92 |
| 75th percentile | $165,950 | $79.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $173,670 | $83.50 |
| Average (mean) | $113,160 | $54.41 |
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 | $12,292.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,146.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,673.46 |
| Weekly | $2,836.73 |
| Hourly | $70.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $147,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $208,180 | 90 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $147,510 | 90 |
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.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $123,550 | $59.40 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $64,260 | $30.90 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $123,500 | $59.38 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $46,330 | $22.27 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Iowa is $147,510 a year, or $70.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $173,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Iowa?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Iowa earn at least $173,670 a year. The top 25% earn $165,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,470 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $45,470 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Iowa?
About 410 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.