Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
SOC: 23-1023 O*NET: 23-1023.00
Median Salary
$156,210
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.
What does a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$46,520
10th percentile
Early Career
$86,060
25th percentile
Median
$156,210
50th percentile
Experienced
$189,890
75th percentile
Top Earners
$216,540
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$46,520
25th
$86,060
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$156,210
Mean: $143,110
75th
$189,890
90th
$216,540
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $170,020 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $86,060 and $189,890
- •Salary spread is 66.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 25,580 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:27,300
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.5%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)27,300
Current
2034 (Projected)28,000
+2.5%
+700
Employment Change
+2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 41 locations
Texas
2,610 jobs$139,9901.14x
Ohio
2,510 jobs$97,2602.74x
New York
2,460 jobs$189,8901.55x
Florida
1,540 jobs$00.95x
Georgia
1,210 jobs$131,6701.50x
Washington
1,050 jobs$131,7401.79x
New Jersey
990 jobs$200,1501.40x
Indiana
720 jobs$177,1801.37x
South Carolina
670 jobs$84,2701.78x
Arizona
620 jobs$01.17x
Colorado
620 jobs$191,6401.29x
Alabama
610 jobs$50,9501.75x
Massachusetts
600 jobs$221,7101.00x
Missouri
550 jobs$156,2101.13x
Michigan
530 jobs$51,2500.72x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Judgment and Decision Making
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers100%
5 shared skills
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Neurologists100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Speaking
- →Social Perceptiveness
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Complex Problem Solving
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (2)General Responsibilities (18)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.96
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.92
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.88
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.87
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.86
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.75
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
5.0
Stress Tolerance
4.9
Self-Control
4.9
Dependability
4.9
Attention to Detail
4.9
Analytical Thinking
4.8
Leadership
4.8
Independence
4.7
Concern for Others
4.4
Persistence
4.4
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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