Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $141,740 -9.3% vs national
Median hourly $68.15
10th percentile $62,810
90th percentile $177,180
Employed locally 90
National median $156,210

Compare Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary & buying power

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Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,810
    25th
    $100,580
    50th (median)
    $141,740
    75th
    $177,180
    90th
    $177,180

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary vs area income 160% Median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary is 60% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $229,760
    Longview-Kelso, WA $224,040
    Worcester, MA $221,710
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $221,710
    Massachusetts $221,710
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $218,190

    Nearby metros — Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $218,190
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $200,150
    Knoxville, TN $197,740
    Gainesville, FL $178,950
    Evansville, IN $177,180
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $174,100

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers $166,090
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants $66,930
    Legal Support Workers, All Other $62,610
    Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers $57,430
    Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers $119,380
    Judicial Law Clerks $62,960

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Chicago, IL-IN is $68.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.98 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salaries?

    The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 9.3% below the national median of $156,210. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Chicago?

    Entry-level Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (10th percentile) earn around $62,810 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $100,580.