Legal
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Also called: Circuit Court Judge, Circuit Judge, County Judge, Court of Appeals Judge
US median pay
$153,990
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
800
25,300 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
- Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
- Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
- Write decisions on cases.
- Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
- Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
- Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
- Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
- Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
- Research legal issues and write opinions on the issues.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving4.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Negotiation3.2/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
Knowledge
- Law and Government4.9/5
- English Language4.5/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Psychology3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Doctoral or professional degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Doctoral degree66%
- First professional degree23%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.