Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Montana
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Montana earn a median of $84,630 a year ($40.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,780 for the top 10%. That is 45% lower than the national median of $153,990. Montana ranks 35th of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.14 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,810, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| 25th percentile | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Median | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| 75th percentile | $113,150 | $54.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,780 | $59.51 |
| Average (mean) | $82,810 | $39.81 |
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 | $7,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,255 |
| Weekly | $1,627.50 |
| Hourly | $40.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $64,980 | $31.24 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $57,290 | $27.54 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,850 | $26.85 |
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 Montana?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Montana is $84,630 a year, or $40.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Montana?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Montana earn at least $123,780 a year. The top 25% earn $113,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,470 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $48,930 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Montana?
About 70 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.