Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in North Dakota
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in North Dakota earn a median of $171,100 a year ($82.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,960 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $153,990. North Dakota ranks 18th of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.29 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $164,880, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,040 | $27.91 |
| 25th percentile | $110,580 | $53.16 |
| Median | $171,100 | $82.26 |
| 75th percentile | $171,100 | $82.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,960 | $84.60 |
| Average (mean) | $164,880 | $79.27 |
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 | $14,258.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,129.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,580.77 |
| Weekly | $3,290.38 |
| Hourly | $82.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $171,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota 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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $106,880 | $51.39 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $53,980 | $25.95 |
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in North Dakota is $171,100 a year, or $82.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in North Dakota earn at least $175,960 a year. The top 25% earn $171,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,040 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $110,580 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in North Dakota?
About 130 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.