Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $124,870 a year ($60.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,190 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $153,990. Pay here is 40% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $208,350. There are 0.07 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $117,740, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,620 | $11.84 |
| 25th percentile | $60,950 | $29.31 |
| Median | $124,870 | $60.04 |
| 75th percentile | $176,940 | $85.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $218,190 | $104.90 |
| Average (mean) | $117,740 | $56.61 |
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 | $10,405.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,202.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,802.69 |
| Weekly | $2,401.35 |
| Hourly | $60.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $124,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $218,190 | 200 |
| Knoxville, TN | $148,580 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $107,670 | 40 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $78,630 | 30 |
| Jackson, MS | $78,050 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $134,440 | $64.63 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $59,880 | $28.79 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $124,870 a year, or $60.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $218,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $218,190 a year. The top 25% earn $176,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,620 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $60,950 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 40 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.