SOC 23-1023 · Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates Salary in Denver, CO

The average salary for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Denver, Colorado is $195,200 a year ($93.85 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $198,790: half of the 310 people in this job in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 36% more than the U.S. average for this job ($143,830).

$195,200average per year

$93.85 / hourMedian $198,790Take-home ≈ $137,468

  • $170K10th
  • $190K25th
  • $199KMedian
  • $210K75th
  • $220K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

310people in this job
+36%vs U.S. average
#1 of 3Colorado metros
106cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay range in Denver

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $170,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $219,580 or more. The middle half of judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Denver earn between $190,230 and $209,840.

  • $170K10th
  • $190K25th
  • $199KMedian
  • $210K75th
  • $220K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$195,200$16,267$93.85
Median$198,790$16,566$95.57
Entry level (25th percentile)$190,230$15,852$91.46
Experienced (75th percentile)$209,840$17,487$100.88

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates pay in Denver vs. Colorado and the U.S.

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates in Denver earn about the same as the Colorado average ($191,340) and 36% more than the U.S. average ($143,830). At the median the gap is +29% against the U.S. median of $153,990.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Denver$195,200$198,790$170,080$219,580310
Colorado$191,340$198,790$170,080$219,580620
United States$143,830$153,990$46,950$221,71024,030

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary after taxes in Denver

On the average salary of $195,200, a single filer in Denver takes home about $137,468 a year, or $11,456 a month and $5,287 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.

Colorado paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Denver a good place for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Denver area are 6% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.8), so the average $195,200 buys what about $184,530 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Denver ($62,320). A typical home costs $573,221, or 2.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $195,200 is worth in another city

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in other Colorado cities

Denver ranks 1st of 3 Colorado metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

All Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salaries in Colorado

Highest-paying cities for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates

Providence, RI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($211,390).

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary by city

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Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Denver: questions

How much do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates make an hour in Denver?

$93.85 an hour on average, and $95.57 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates salary in Denver?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $170,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $190,230, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates take-home pay in Denver?

About $137,468 a year ($11,456 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $195,200. Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.

Do judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn more in Denver than elsewhere?

The average here is 36% more than the U.S. average for this job ($143,830).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 23-1023; area Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (19740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.6%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.25, this job is 1.2 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.