Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates preside over trials and hearings. They typically work in local, state, and federal courts.
In local and state court systems, they have a variety of titles, such as municipal court judge, county court judge, and justice of the peace. Traffic violations, misdemeanors, small-claims cases, and pretrial hearings make up the bulk of these judges work.
In federal and state court systems, district court judges and general trial court judges have authority over any case in their system. Appellate court judges rule on a small number of cases, by reviewing decisions of the lower courts and lawyers written and oral arguments.
- Education Required
- Although there may be a few positions available for those with a bachelors degree, a law degree is typically required for most jobs as a local, state, or federal judge or hearing officer.
- Training Required
- All states have some type of orientation and training requirements for newly elected or appointed judges. The Federal Judicial Center, American Bar Association, National Judicial College, and National Center for State Courts provide judicial education and training for judges and other judicial branch personnel.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 5% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Advancement for some judicial workers means moving to courts with a broader jurisdiction. Advancement for various hearing officers includes taking on more complex cases, practicing law, and becoming district court judges.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Most judges and hearing officers are required to have a law license. In addition, they typically must maintain their law license and good standing with their state bar association while working as a judge or hearing officer.
- Median pay: How much do Judges and Hearing Officers make?
- $109,940 Annual Salary
- $52.86 per hour
Careers for Judges and Hearing Officers
- Administrative court justices
- Administrative law judges
- Appeals examiners
- Appeals referees
- Appellate conferees
- Circuit court judges
- County court judges
- Criminal court judges
- District court judges
- Hearing examiners
- Hearing officers
- Judges
- Jurists
- Justices
- Justices of the peace
- Probate judges
- Traffic court referees
- Trial court judges
- Tribal judges