Judicial Salaries in the United States

Salary of the Supreme Court Justices

The salary of the justices (Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and the court’s eight associate justices) is set by congressional statute and is subject to adjustment from time to time. As of the following dates, the salary of members of the Court is as follows:

As of May 2010
Chief Justice, Supreme Court $223,500
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $213,900

As of January 2009
Chief Justice, Supreme Court $217,400
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $208,100

As of January 2008
Chief Justice, Supreme Court $217,400
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $208,100

As of January 2006
Chief Justice, Supreme Court $212,100
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $203,000

As of January 2005
Chief Justice, Supreme Court $208,100
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $199,200

As of January 2004

Chief Justice, Supreme Court $203,000
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $194,300

As of January 2002

Chief Justice, Supreme Court $192,600
Associate Justices, Supreme Court $184,400

Note: Supreme Court justices receive compensation-boosting perks.

Analysis

Those wages were nearly double an annual median of $119,270 for all judges in may 2010. Federal salaries also bested pay among state Supreme Courts. State chief justices made a median of $152,500 a year, while associate justices earned $146,917. As of 2012, pay for federal judges had not increased since 2009.

States Salaries

Pay for justices who serve on state high courts varies. Justices in some states earn more than U.S. Supreme Court associate justices. That’s the case in California, where judges earned $218,237 a year as of 2011, for the highest state-court pay in the nation. Justices in Illinois took home $209,344, while judges in Alaska made $192,372. Rounding out the top five states for pay were Pennsylvania, at $189,620, and New Jersey, at $185,482. Justices serving on the Mississippi Supreme Court earned the least, at $112,530 a year. South Dakota ranked 49th for pay, at $118,173. Supreme Court justices in Maine earned $119,476. Other states in the bottom five included Idaho, with pay of $119,506, and Montana, at $121,434.

Supreme Court Justices: Chief Justice

Date Effective: September 23, 1789 ; Salary: $4,000
Date Effective: January 1, 1819 ; Salary: $5,000
Date Effective: March 3, 1855 ; Salary: $6,500
Date Effective: March 3, 1863 ; Salary: (Justice assigned to the Tenth Circuit granted $1,000 additional compensation for travel (repealed in 1866))
Date Effective: July 1, 1871 ; Salary: $8,500
Date Effective: March 4, 1873 ; Salary: $10,500
Date Effective: March 1, 1903 ; Salary: $13,000
Date Effective: June 1, 1911 ; Salary: $15,000
Date Effective: January 1, 1927 ; Salary: $20,500
Date Effective: August 1, 1946 ; Salary: $25,500
Date Effective: March 1,1955 ; Salary: $35,500
Date Effective: July 1, 1964 ; Salary: $40,000
Date Effective: March 1, 1969 ; Salary: $62,500
Date Effective: October 1, 1975 ; Salary: $65,600
Date Effective: October 1, 1976 ; Salary: $68,800
Date Effective: March 1, 1977 ; Salary: $75,000
Date Effective: October 1, 1979 ; Salary: $84,700
Date Effective: October 1, 1980 ; Salary: $92,400
Date Effective: October 1, 1981 ; Salary: $96,800
Date Effective: October 1, 1982 ; Salary: $100,700
Date Effective: January 1, 1984 ; Salary: $104,700
Date Effective: January 1, 1985 ; Salary: $108,400
Date Effective: January 1, 1987 ; Salary: $111,700
Date Effective: March 1, 1987 ; Salary: $115,000
Date Effective: February 1, 1990 ; Salary: $124,000
Date Effective: January 1, 1991 ; Salary: $160,600
Date Effective: January 1, 1992 ; Salary: $166,200
Date Effective: January 1, 1993 ; Salary: $171,500
Date Effective: January 1, 1998 ; Salary: $175,400
Date Effective: January 1, 2000 ; Salary: $181,400
Date Effective: January 1, 2001 ; Salary: $186,300
Date Effective: January 1, 2002 ; Salary: $192,600
Date Effective: January 1, 2003 ; Salary: $198,600
Date Effective: January 1, 2004 ; Salary: $203,000
Date Effective: January 1, 2005 ; Salary: $208,100
Date Effective: January 1, 2006 ; Salary: $212,100
Date Effective: January 1, 2008 ; Salary: $217,400
Date Effective: January 1, 2009 ; Salary: $223,500
Date Effective: January 1, 2014 ; Salary: $255,500
Date Effective: January 1, 2015 ; Salary: $258,100
Date Effective: January 1, 2016 ; Salary: $260,700

Supreme Court Justices: Associate Justices

Date Effective: September 23, 1789 ; Salary: $3,500
Date Effective: January 1, 1819 ; Salary: $4,500
Date Effective: March 3, 1855 ; Salary: $6,000
Date Effective: March 3, 1863 ; Salary: Justice assigned to the Tenth Circuit granted $1,000 additional compensation for travel (repealed in 1866)
Date Effective: July 1, 1871 ; Salary: $8,000
Date Effective: March 4, 1873 ; Salary: $10,000
Date Effective: March 1, 1903 ; Salary: $12,500
Date Effective: June 1, 1911 ; Salary: $14,500
Date Effective: January 1, 1927 ; Salary: $20,000
Date Effective: August 1, 1946 ; Salary: $25,000
Date Effective: March 1,1955 ; Salary: $35,000
Date Effective: July 1, 1964 ; Salary: $39,500
Date Effective: March 1, 1969 ; Salary: $60,000
Date Effective: October 1, 1975 ; Salary: $63,000
Date Effective: October 1, 1976 ; Salary: $66,000
Date Effective: March 1, 1977 ; Salary: $72,000
Date Effective: October 1, 1979 ; Salary: $81,300
Date Effective: October 1, 1980 ; Salary: $88,700
Date Effective: October 1, 1981 ; Salary: $93,000
Date Effective: October 1, 1982 ; Salary: $96,700
Date Effective: January 1, 1984 ; Salary: $100,600
Date Effective: January 1, 1985 ; Salary: $104,100
Date Effective: January 1, 1987 ; Salary: $107,200
Date Effective: March 1, 1987 ; Salary: $110,000
Date Effective: February 1, 1990 ; Salary: $118,600
Date Effective: January 1, 1991 ; Salary: $153,600
Date Effective: January 1, 1992 ; Salary: $159,000
Date Effective: January 1, 1993 ; Salary: $164,100
Date Effective: January 1, 1998 ; Salary: $167,900
Date Effective: January 1, 2000 ; Salary: $173,600
Date Effective: January 1, 2001 ; Salary: $178,300
Date Effective: January 1, 2002 ; Salary: $184,400
Date Effective: January 1, 2003 ; Salary: $190,100
Date Effective: January 1, 2004 ; Salary: $194,300
Date Effective: January 1, 2005 ; Salary: $199,200
Date Effective: January 1, 2006 ; Salary: $203,000
Date Effective: January 1, 2008 ; Salary: $208,100
Date Effective: January 1, 2009 ; Salary: $213,900
Date Effective: January 1, 2014 ; Salary: $244,400
Date Effective: January 1, 2015 ; Salary: $246,800
Date Effective: January 1, 2016 ; Salary: $249,300

U.S. District Court Judges Salaries

For information regarding District Court Judges Salaries click here.

U.S. Court of Appeals Judges Salaries

By Date Effective :

March 3, 1891 ; Annual Salary: $6,000
March 1, 1903 ; Annual Salary: $7,000
March 1, 1919 ; Annual Salary: $8,500
January 1, 1927 ; Annual Salary: $12,500
August 1, 1946 ; Annual Salary: $17,500
March 1, 1955 ; Annual Salary: $25,500
July 1, 1964 ; Annual Salary: $33,000
March 1, 1969 ; Annual Salary: $42,500
October 1, 1975 ; Annual Salary: $44,600
October 1, 1976 ; Annual Salary: $46,800
March 1, 1977 ; Annual Salary: $57,500
October 1, 1979 ; Annual Salary: $65,000
October 1, 1980 ; Annual Salary: $70,900
October 1, 1981 ; Annual Salary: $74,300
October 1, 1982 ; Annual Salary: $77,300
January 1, 1984 ; Annual Salary: $80,400
January 1, 1985 ; Annual Salary: $83,200
January 1, 1987 ; Annual Salary: $85,700
March 1, 1987 ; Annual Salary: $95,000
February 1, 1990 ; Annual Salary: $102,500
January 1, 1991 ; Annual Salary: $132,700
January 1, 1992 ; Annual Salary: $137,300
January 1, 1993 ; Annual Salary: $141,700
January 1, 1998 ; Annual Salary: $145,000
January 1, 2000 ; Annual Salary: $149,900
January 1, 2001 ; Annual Salary: $153,900
January 1, 2002 ; Annual Salary: $159,100
January 1, 2003 ; Annual Salary: $164,000
January 1, 2004 ; Annual Salary: $167,600
January 1, 2005 ; Annual Salary: $171,800
January 1, 2006 ; Annual Salary: $175,100
January 1, 2008 ; Annual Salary: $179,500
January 1, 2009 ; Annual Salary: $184,500
January 1, 2014 ; Annual Salary: $211,200
January 1, 2015 ; Annual Salary: $213,300
January 1, 2016 ; Annual Salary: $215,400

Salaries of U.S. Circuit Court Judges, 1801-1891

Effective February 13, 1801 the Annual Salary was: $2,000 ; Note: First through Fifth Circuits (judgeships abolished in 1802)
Effective February 13, 1801 the Annual Salary was: $1,500 ; Note: Sixth Circuit (judgeship abolished in 1802)
Effective March 2, 1855 the Annual Salary was: $4,500 ; Note: California Circuit
Effective July 1, 1857 the Annual Salary was: $6,000 ; Note: California Circuit (judgeship abolished in 1863)
Effective December 6, 1869 the Annual Salary was: $5,000 ; Note: Newly created circuit judgeships
Effective July 1, 1871 the Annual Salary was: $6,000
Effective March 3, 1891 the Annual Salary was: $6,000 ; Note: Circuit Judges assigned to the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Salaries of U.S. Bankruptcy Judges

Efective November 6, 1978 the Annual Salary was: $50,000
Efective October 1, 1979 the Annual Salary was: $53,500
Efective January 1, 1982 the Annual Salary was: $58,500
Efective December 18, 1982 the Annual Salary was: $63,600
Efective January 1, 1984 the Annual Salary was: $66,100
Efective January 1, 1985 the Annual Salary was: $68,400
Efective January 1, 1987 the Annual Salary was: $70,500
Efective March 1, 1987 the Annual Salary was: $72,500
Efective October 1, 1988 Henceforth bankruptcy judges receive an annual salary of 92 percent of the salary of district judges.

Salaries of U.S. Magistrate Judges (full-time)

Efective October 17, 1968 , Salaries Not to exceed $22,500 (Salary to be determined by the Judicial Conference based on the number and nature of cases brought before the magistrate)
Efective September 21, 1972 , Salaries Not to exceed 75 percent of the salary of a district judge
Efective October 17, 1976 , Salaries Not to exceed salary of full-time bankruptcy referee
Efective November 6, 1978 , Salaries Not to exceed $48,500
Efective March 1, 1987 , Salaries $72,500
Efective October 1, 1988 Henceforth magistrate judges receive a salary, determined by the Judicial Conference, of up to 92 percent of the salary of district judges.

Judges of the Courts of Special Jurisdiction

Chief Judges: District of Columbia Circuit Court (1801–1863), Supreme Court (1863–1936), and District Court (1936– )

Effective February 27, 1801 the Annual Salary was: $2,000
Effective March 3, 1811 the Annual Salary was: $2,200
Effective April 1, 1818 the Annual Salary was: $2,700
Effective March 3, 1839 the Annual Salary was: $2,700 Note: $100 in additional annual compensation to chief judge for patent work (repealed in 1852)
Effective August 30, 1852 the Annual Salary was: $2,700 Note: $25 in additional compensation to any judge of the court for each patent case heard, to be paid by the appellant (repealed in 1870)
Effective March 3, 1857 the Annual Salary was: $3,750
Effective March 3, 1863 the Annual Salary was: $3,000
Effective June 2, 1866 the Annual Salary was: $4,500
Effective July 1, 1891 the Annual Salary was: $5,000
Effective March 1, 1903 the Annual Salary was: $6,000
Effective March 1, 1919 the Annual Salary was: $7,500
Effective July 1, 1920 the Annual Salary was: $8,000
Effective January 1, 1927 the Annual Salary was: $10,500
Effective August 1, 1946 the Annual Salary was: $15,500
Effective March 1, 1955 the Annual Salary was: $23,000
Effective July 1, 1964 the Annual Salary was: $30,500
Effective March 1, 1969 the Annual Salary was: $40,000 Note: Made equal to the salary of all other U.S. district court judges

Assistant Judges: District of Columbia Circuit Court (1801–1863), Supreme Court (1863–1936), and District Court (1936– )

Effective February 27, 1801 the Annual Salary was: $1,600
Effective March 3, 1811 the Annual Salary was: $2,000
Effective April 1, 1818 the Annual Salary was: $2,500
Effective March 3, 1839 the Annual Salary was: $2,500 Note: $100 in additional annual compensation to chief judge for patent work (repealed in 1852)
Effective August 30, 1852 the Annual Salary was: $2,500 Note: $25 in additional compensation to any judge of the court for each patent case heard, to be paid by the appellant (repealed in 1870)
Effective March 3, 1857 the Annual Salary was: $3,500
Effective March 3, 1863 the Annual Salary was: $3,000
Effective June 2, 1866 the Annual Salary was: $4,000
Effective July 1, 1891 the Annual Salary was: $5,000
Effective March 1, 1903 the Annual Salary was: $6,000
Effective March 1, 1919 the Annual Salary was: $7,500
Effective July 1, 1920 the Annual Salary was: $7,500
Effective January 1, 1927 the Annual Salary was: $10,000
Effective August 1, 1946 the Annual Salary was: $15,000
Effective March 1, 1955 the Annual Salary was: $22,500
Effective July 1, 1964 the Annual Salary was: $30,000
Effective March 1, 1969 the Annual Salary was: $40,000 Note: Made equal to the salary of all other U.S. district court judges

Chief Justices: District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Effective April 3, 1893 the Annual Salary was: $6,500
Effective March 1, 1903 the Annual Salary was: $7,500
Effective March 1, 1919 the Annual Salary was: $8,500
Effective July 1, 1920 the Annual Salary was: $9,000
Effective January 1, 1927 the Annual Salary was: $12,500 Note: Made equal to the salary of judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Associate Justices: District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Effective April 3, 1893 the Annual Salary was: $6,000
Effective March 1, 1903 the Annual Salary was: $7,000
Effective March 1, 1919 the Annual Salary was: $8,500
Effective July 1, 1920 the Annual Salary was: $8,500
Effective January 1, 1927 the Annual Salary was: $12,500 Note: Made equal to the salary of judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Court of International Trade (1980– )

Same salaries as judges of the U.S. district courts

Chief Justices: Court of Claims (1855–1982)

Effective February 24, 1855 the Annual Salary was: $4,000
Effective July 1, 1873 the Annual Salary was: $4,500
Effective March 1, 1903 the Annual Salary was: $6,500
Effective March 1, 1919 the Annual Salary was: $8,000
Effective January 1, 1927 the Annual Salary was: $12,500
Effective August 1, 1946 the Annual Salary was: $17,500
Effective March 1, 1955 the Annual Salary was: $25,500
Effective July 1, 1964 the Annual Salary was: $33,000
Effective March 1, 1969 the Annual Salary was: $42,500
Effective October 1, 1975 the Annual Salary was: $44,600
Effective October 1, 1976 the Annual Salary was: $46,800
Effective March 1, 1977 the Annual Salary was: $57,500
Effective October 1, 1979 the Annual Salary was: $65,000
Effective October 1, 1980 the Annual Salary was: $70,900
Effective October 1, 1981 the Annual Salary was: $74,300

Assistant Judges: Court of Claims (1855–1982)

Effective February 24, 1855 the Annual Salary was: $4,000
Effective July 1, 1873 the Annual Salary was: $4,500
Effective March 1, 1903 the Annual Salary was: $6,000
Effective March 1, 1919 the Annual Salary was: $7,500
Effective January 1, 1927 the Annual Salary was: $12,500
Effective August 1, 1946 the Annual Salary was: $17,500
Effective March 1, 1955 the Annual Salary was: $25,500
Effective July 1, 1964 the Annual Salary was: $33,000
Effective March 1, 1969 the Annual Salary was: $42,500
Effective October 1, 1975 the Annual Salary was: $44,600
Effective October 1, 1976 the Annual Salary was: $46,800
Effective March 1, 1977 the Annual Salary was: $57,500
Effective October 1, 1979 the Annual Salary was: $65,000
Effective October 1, 1980 the Annual Salary was: $70,900
Effective October 1, 1981 the Annual Salary was: $74,300

U.S. Court of Federal Claims (1982– )

Effective October 1, 1982 the Annual Salary was: $57,500
Effective December 18, 1982 the Annual Salary was: $65,200
Effective January 1, 1984 the Annual Salary was: $67,800
Effective January 1, 1985 the Annual Salary was: $70,200
Effective January 1, 1987 the Annual Salary was: $72,300
Effective March 1, 1987 the Annual Salary was: $82,500
Effective November 19, 1988 the Annual Salary was: Henceforth equal to the salary of U.S. district court judges

U.S. Court of Customs and Patent Appeals (1910–1982)

Same salaries as judges of the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Commerce Court (1910–1913)

This court was presided over by U.S. Court of Appeals judges who received $1,500 in additional yearly compensation for the performance of their duties on this court

Judicial Salaries