Judge Salary in California
Explore judge salaries in California including median pay, entry-level and senior compensation, and how it compares to the national average.
Salary Breakdown
| Pay Period | Entry Level | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $75,512 | $126,861 | $211,434 |
| Monthly | $6,293 | $10,572 | $17,620 |
| Biweekly | $2,904 | $4,879 | $8,132 |
| Weekly | $1,452 | $2,440 | $4,066 |
| Hourly | $36 | $61 | $102 |
CA vs National Comparison
About This Career
Preside over court proceedings and make legal decisions.
Education
Juris Doctor (JD); appointment or election required
Key Skills
Compare Jobs
Compare salaries for other legal jobs in California:
Explore Related Data for a Judge in California
Dig into every angle of a judge salary ($126,861 median) in California — take-home pay, affordability, taxes, mortgage, retirement, and city-level data.
Take-home pay on $126,861 in California
Federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare — what you keep after taxes.
What you can afford on $126,861 in California
Home price, rent, and monthly spending guidelines for this income.
Tax brackets on $126,861 in California
Exactly which federal and state brackets your salary crosses.
$500,000 mortgage in California
Monthly payment, property tax, and total interest at typical rates.
Retirement at 30 earning $120,000
Savings benchmarks and projections for your income level.
Judge salary in Los Angeles
Drill down to city-level salary data for Los Angeles, California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median judge salary in California?
The median judge salary in California is $126,861, compared to a national median of $99,110.
What is the entry-level judge salary in California?
Entry-level judge positions in California typically pay around $75,512 annually.
What is the senior judge salary in California?
Senior judge professionals in California earn around $211,434 annually.
What is the job growth outlook for judge?
The projected 10-year job growth outlook for judge positions is 12%, which indicates strong demand in this field.
What education is needed to become a judge?
Juris Doctor (JD); appointment or election required