SOC 23-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates — Tennessee
Tennessee · 4 metro areas compared
In Tennessee the median wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates reaches $208,350 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Tennessee the median wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates reaches $208,350 a year. That is 35.3% more than the national median of $153,990. Pay ranges from under $64,300 at the tenth percentile to more than $221,470 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $121,120 to $218,190.
Employment stands at 420, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Tennessee ranks number 6th out of 41 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $218,190. Of the 730 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 17th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,300 | −58.2% |
| 25th | $121,120 | −21.3% |
| Median (50th) | $208,350 | +35.3% |
| 75th | $218,190 | +41.7% |
| 90th | $221,470 | +43.8% |
| Mean | $173,150 | +12.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $218,190 | 200 | |
| 2 | Knoxville | $148,580 | 40 | |
| 3 | Memphis | $124,870 | 40 | |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $107,670 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $208,350 goes as far as $226,714 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 47.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$208,350as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$226,714US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $208,350 a year, 35.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $64,300 to $221,470 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 420 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 6th of 41 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $218,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Tennessee?
The median annual wage is $208,350, or $100.17 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $153,990, so pay in Tennessee is 35.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Tennessee earns more than $221,470 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $64,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $218,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 420 jobs in this occupation in Tennessee. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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