Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
SOC Code: 23-1023 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $106,434 | $183,310 | $260,166 | $337,043 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $206,419 | $240,552 | $274,685 | $308,818 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $207,355 | $240,552 | $273,749 | $306,946 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $203,050 | $235,414 | $267,800 | $300,165 |
| Vallejo, CA | $198,411 | $231,962 | $265,491 | $299,042 |
| Modesto, CA | $192,546 | $227,739 | $262,933 | $298,126 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $186,243 | $220,522 | $254,821 | $289,099 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $186,264 | $220,459 | $254,654 | $288,850 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $133,286 | $184,954 | $236,600 | $288,267 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $166,546 | $202,072 | $237,619 | $273,146 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 5.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.2 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 | |
| Speaking | 4.1 | |
| Writing | 4.1 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 | |
| Active Learning | 4.0 | |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Law and Government | 4.9 |
| English Language | 4.5 |
| Administration and Management | 3.6 |
| Psychology | 3.4 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.2 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.1 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.8 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-first professional | 66.5% |
| First professional degree (MD, JD) | 23.3% |
| Other | 9.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
- Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
- 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.
- Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
- Interpret and enforce rules of procedure or establish new rules in situations where there are no procedures already established by law.
- Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
- Advise attorneys, juries, litigants, and court personnel regarding conduct, issues, and proceedings.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Courtroom scheduling software Email software Hyland OnBase Enterprise Content Management Instant messaging software LexisNexis LinkedIn Online databases Thomson Reuters Westlaw Videoconferencing software
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