Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Massachusetts
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Massachusetts earn a median of $221,710 a year ($106.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $155,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,710 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $153,990. Massachusetts ranks 2nd of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.17 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $201,060, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $155,450 | $74.74 |
| 25th percentile | $186,170 | $89.50 |
| Median | $221,710 | $106.59 |
| 75th percentile | $221,710 | $106.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,710 | $106.59 |
| Average (mean) | $201,060 | $96.66 |
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 | $18,475.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,237.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,527.31 |
| Weekly | $4,263.65 |
| Hourly | $106.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $221,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $229,760 | 150 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $221,710 | 420 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $176,680 | $84.94 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $143,350 | $68.92 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $113,750 | $54.69 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $69,100 | $33.22 |
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts is $221,710 a year, or $106.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $155,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts earn at least $221,710 a year. The top 25% earn $221,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $155,450 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $186,170 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Massachusetts?
About 610 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.