Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Michigan
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Michigan earn a median of $51,210 a year ($24.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,280 for the top 10%. That is 67% lower than the national median of $153,990. Michigan ranks 40th of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.13 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,720 | $21.98 |
| 25th percentile | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Median | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| 75th percentile | $127,310 | $61.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,280 | $87.15 |
| Average (mean) | $87,370 | $42.01 |
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 | $4,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,133.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,969.62 |
| Weekly | $984.81 |
| Hourly | $24.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,210 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $55,000 | 180 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $48,110 | 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.
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $130,520 | $62.75 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $127,420 | $61.26 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $76,270 | $36.67 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $62,170 | $29.89 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $66,280 | $31.86 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $49,540 | $23.82 |
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 Michigan?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Michigan is $51,210 a year, or $24.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Michigan?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Michigan earn at least $181,280 a year. The top 25% earn $127,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,720 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $48,340 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Michigan?
About 570 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.