Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Rhode Island
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Rhode Island earn a median of $239,760 a year ($115.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $271,090 for the top 10%. That is 56% higher than the national median of $153,990. Rhode Island ranks 1st of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.24 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $213,840, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,690 | $39.27 |
| 25th percentile | $214,990 | $103.36 |
| Median | $239,760 | $115.27 |
| 75th percentile | $254,950 | $122.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $271,090 | $130.33 |
| Average (mean) | $213,840 | $102.81 |
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 | $19,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $9,990 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $9,221.54 |
| Weekly | $4,610.77 |
| Hourly | $115.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $239,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $229,760 | 150 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $138,960 | $66.81 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $56,250 | $27.04 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $63,300 | $30.44 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $79,350 | $38.15 |
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Rhode Island is $239,760 a year, or $115.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $271,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Rhode Island earn at least $271,090 a year. The top 25% earn $254,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,690 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $214,990 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Rhode Island?
About 120 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.