Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Kentucky
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Kentucky earn a median of $150,650 a year ($72.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,550 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $153,990. Kentucky ranks 22nd of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.18 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $140,470, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,230 | $47.23 |
| 25th percentile | $141,750 | $68.15 |
| Median | $150,650 | $72.43 |
| 75th percentile | $156,550 | $75.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $156,550 | $75.27 |
| Average (mean) | $140,470 | $67.54 |
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 | $12,554.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,277.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,794.23 |
| Weekly | $2,897.12 |
| Hourly | $72.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $150,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $156,550 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $122,750 | 240 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $107,180 | 40 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,830 | $28.76 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $52,860 | $25.41 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $68,220 | $32.80 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Kentucky is $150,650 a year, or $72.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $156,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Kentucky earn at least $156,550 a year. The top 25% earn $156,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,230 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $141,750 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Kentucky?
About 370 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.