Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in West Virginia
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in West Virginia earn a median of $63,240 a year ($30.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,590 for the top 10%. That is 59% lower than the national median of $153,990. West Virginia ranks 38th of 41 states for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates pay. There are 0.49 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| 25th percentile | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Median | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| 75th percentile | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Average (mean) | $90,520 | $43.52 |
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 | $5,270 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,635 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,432.31 |
| Weekly | $1,216.15 |
| Hourly | $30.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $107,180 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $104,000 | 380 |
| Charleston, WV | $103,940 | 40 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $63,240 | 30 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,890 | $26.87 |
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in West Virginia is $63,240 a year, or $30.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in West Virginia earn at least $138,590 a year. The top 25% earn $138,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,240 a year, and a quarter of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn $63,240 or less.
How many judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates work in West Virginia?
About 350 judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.