Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Tennessee
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Tennessee earn a median of $208,350 a year ($100.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,470 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $153,990. Tennessee ranks 6th 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 $173,150, close to the median.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| 25th percentile | $121,120 | $58.23 |
| Median | $208,350 | $100.17 |
| 75th percentile | $218,190 | $104.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,470 | $106.48 |
| Average (mean) | $173,150 | $83.24 |
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 | $17,362.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,681.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $8,013.46 |
| Weekly | $4,006.73 |
| Hourly | $100.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $208,350 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $218,190 | 200 |
| Knoxville, TN | $148,580 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $124,870 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $107,670 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $136,180 | $65.47 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $107,740 | $51.80 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $58,610 | $28.18 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Tennessee is $208,350 a year, or $100.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Tennessee earn at least $221,470 a year. The top 25% earn $218,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,300 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $121,120 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in Tennessee?
About 420 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.