Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- District Court Judge
- Judge
- Magistrate
- Superior Court Judge
Alternate Job Titles
- Administrative Court Justice
- Appeals Specialist
- Appellate Court Judge
- Appellate Immigration Judge
- Ballot Processing Judge
- Bankruptcy Judge
- Chancery Master
- Chief Judge
- Circuit Court Judge
- Circuit Judge
- County Court Judge
- County Judge
- Court of Appeals Judge
- Criminal Court Judge
- Criminal Judge
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Issue search or arrest warrants.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Self-Control
- Leadership Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Computer laser printers
- Courtroom microphones
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital video players
- Gavels
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Multiline telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Tablet computers
- Teleconferencing equipment
- Videoconferencing equipment
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,520 |
| Median | $156,210 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $216,540 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 25,580
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $115,230
Judicial Law Clerks
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $60,400
Lawyers
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $151,160
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Median Salary: $67,710
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $64,520
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.