Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $147,510 -5.6% vs national
Median hourly $70.92
10th percentile $45,470
90th percentile $178,240
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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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,470
    25th
    $45,470
    50th (median)
    $147,510
    75th
    $165,950
    90th
    $178,240

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary vs area income 175% Median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary is 75% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $200,150
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $196,890
    Omaha, NE-IA $196,390
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $193,000
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $181,320
    Indiana $177,180

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Lawyers $118,750
    Paralegals and Legal Assistants $60,790
    Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers $117,200
    Judicial Law Clerks $58,650
    Legal Support Workers, All Other $44,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Des Moines, IA is $70.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $85.69 or more per hour.

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

    The median Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Des Moines, IA is 5.6% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates (10th percentile) earn around $45,470 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,470.