A judge is a person who makes sure those hearings and trials are handled fairly according to the law.
A judge will preside over cases that may involve civil disputes, traffic violations, and business disputes.
In cases where juries are called on to make decisions regarding the outcome of the case, a judge will instruct the jury on the laws that are applicable in the particular case and tell the jury how to listen to the evidence that has been presented during the case.
The judge will hear the verdict made by the jury.
A typical day as a judge may consist of presiding over hearings or trials to ensure they are conducted fairly, listening to lawyer’s present cases, ruling on whether or not certain evidence is allowed in court, settling disputes between lawyers who are opposing each other in a case, directing juries, and deciding cases where a jury is not present.
Becoming a Judge
The majority of judges begin their careers as lawyers.
There are limited jurisdiction judgeships allowed in 40 states.
Every state in the country provides a judicial training and education program that lasts about three weeks for every new judge.
25 states require judges to take additional courses throughout their term on the bench.
Some judges are appointed by the government, and others are elected by the public.
Education
To become a judge, a person must first earn an undergraduate degree.
While there is no specific requirement for a bachelor’s degree to attend law school, most students choose history, business, political science, or economics.
Once you have gotten a bachelor’s degree, it will be necessary to earn a law degree.
Anyone practicing law must attend a law school that has been approved by the ABA (American Bar Association).
This legal education will take three years to complete.
After completing law school, a person must then pass the bar exam to become an attorney.
This examination may be different from state to state.
A person who has been approved to practice law in Indiana cannot practice law in Texas or any other state unless they pass the bar exam for that particular state.
It is recommended that anyone who wishes to become a judge should work as an attorney for at least a few years after completing law school, and be aware of the main pros and cons of being a judge.
U.S. Average Salary: $143,830
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 560 | $66,740 | $32.09 | $110,110 | $37,420 |
| Alaska | 140 | $170,670 | $82.05 | $221,220 | $82,160 |
| Arizona | 590 | $126,550 | $60.84 | $209,950 | $81,120 |
| Arkansas | 240 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Colorado | 620 | $191,340 | $91.99 | $219,580 | $170,080 |
| Connecticut | 230 | $194,050 | $93.29 | $217,760 | $114,380 |
| Delaware | 120 | $152,360 | $73.25 | $211,350 | $93,490 |
| Florida | 1,380 | $186,200 | $89.52 | $220,410 | $171,860 |
| Georgia | 1,190 | $121,580 | $58.45 | $187,990 | $37,420 |
| Hawaii | 120 | $213,030 | $102.42 | $217,110 | $205,300 |
| Idaho | 250 | $171,860 | $82.62 | $226,260 | $79,180 |
| Indiana | 790 | $157,070 | $75.51 | $183,000 | $58,960 |
| Iowa | 410 | $113,160 | $54.41 | $173,670 | $45,470 |
| Kansas | 420 | $123,200 | $59.23 | $163,160 | $76,590 |
| Kentucky | 370 | $140,470 | $67.54 | $156,550 | $98,230 |
| Louisiana | 180 | $93,040 | $44.73 | $143,800 | $24,660 |
| Maine | 100 | $139,890 | $67.26 | $165,110 | $55,760 |
| Maryland | 170 | $151,880 | $73.02 | $204,420 | $53,210 |
| Massachusetts | 610 | $201,060 | $96.66 | $221,710 | $155,450 |
| Michigan | 570 | $87,370 | $42.01 | $181,280 | $45,720 |
| Minnesota | 590 | $167,790 | $80.67 | $190,110 | $117,520 |
| Mississippi | 360 | $68,270 | $32.82 | $165,240 | $27,510 |
| Missouri | 600 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Montana | 70 | $82,810 | $39.81 | $123,780 | $44,470 |
| Nebraska | 160 | $197,450 | $94.93 | $213,800 | $202,550 |
| Nevada | 90 | $149,080 | $71.67 | $227,870 | $57,220 |
| New Jersey | 920 | $170,500 | $81.97 | $215,540 | $56,290 |
| New Mexico | 250 | $166,270 | $79.94 | $218,030 | $76,260 |
| New York | 2,270 | $198,770 | $95.56 | $232,590 | $166,930 |
| North Dakota | 130 | $164,880 | $79.27 | $175,960 | $58,040 |
| Ohio | 1,720 | $109,500 | $52.64 | $210,440 | $38,330 |
| Oregon | 40 | $159,490 | $76.68 | $230,850 | $76,950 |
| Pennsylvania | ** | $109,520 | $52.66 | $110,580 | $110,580 |
| Rhode Island | 120 | $213,840 | $102.81 | $271,090 | $81,690 |
| South Carolina | 670 | $98,400 | $47.31 | $211,840 | $35,950 |
| Tennessee | 420 | $173,150 | $83.24 | $221,470 | $64,300 |
| Texas | 2,770 | $127,900 | $61.49 | $184,790 | $31,380 |
| Utah | 100 | $114,690 | $55.14 | $195,950 | $32,640 |
| Vermont | 80 | $158,760 | $76.33 | $194,170 | $57,730 |
| Virginia | 1,270 | $125,190 | $60.19 | $213,830 | $62,180 |
| Washington | 1,040 | $159,620 | $76.74 | $239,740 | $112,360 |
| West Virginia | 350 | $90,520 | $43.52 | $138,590 | $63,240 |
| Wisconsin | 130 | $94,290 | $45.33 | $175,880 | $27,380 |
| Puerto Rico | 490 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
Rhode Island tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $213,840.
These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:
* Salary estimates are based on data from the May 2025 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates, (SOC Code 23-1023).* Employment opportunities may vary depending on your area.
Job Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are not going to be many more new jobs for judges in the future.
There are some positions as judges that are for life, while other positions have renewable terms and fixed terms.
To become a judge, a person has to be elected to the position or appointed.
A lawyer can apply to be a judge by submitting their name to the nominating commission, or politicians may recommend certain lawyers for specific judgeships.
For the most part, being nominated to become a judge will require a long history of practice as a lawyer, along with support from politicians.
Once a person is appointed or elected as a judge, they will then be required to attend training programs that are administered by the state or by other legal organizations, including the National Judicial College or the ABA.
A person who is appointed to a federal judge position will be provided with training from the Federal Judicial Center.
Becoming a judge is a journey that requires dedication, continuous learning, and a deep understanding of the law, but it can be an incredibly rewarding and impactful career.
Mentorship and networking with experienced judges can provide valuable guidance and insights along the way.
Experience in legal practice, whether as an attorney or in a related field, is invaluable for understanding the intricacies of the legal system.