Who makes more money, lawyers or judges?
Asked by: Kamren Conroy | Last update: January 29, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (58 votes)
Top-tier private practice lawyers in large firms often make significantly more than judges, potentially earning millions, while the average lawyer's salary can be comparable to or less than a judge's salary, depending on experience, location, and sector (government vs. private). Judges earn a set public salary, often representing a pay cut from lucrative private practice, but gain prestige and can later command high fees as mediators or in private roles post-retirement.
Do lawyers or judges make more?
Compared to other law-related occupations, lawyers earn the highest median income. Median lawyer pay is higher than judges and hearing officers ($128,610), arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators ($64,030), court reporters and simultaneous captioners ($63,560), and paralegals and legal assistants ($59,200).
Is it harder to become a judge or lawyer?
Yes, becoming a judge is generally much harder than becoming a lawyer because it requires years of successful legal practice, navigating political hurdles (election or appointment), and facing intense competition for a limited number of spots, whereas becoming a lawyer primarily requires law school and passing the bar exam, making the path to judgeship a significantly more difficult, specialized, and selective career progression.
Are judges more powerful than lawyers?
Lawyers can argue for their client's innocence, negotiate plea deals, and present evidence to sway judges and juries. In civil cases, however, private judges may have more power than lawyers because they can provide a faster and more specialized resolution of disputes.
Which one is better, lawyer or judge?
Advocates represent clients, craft legal strategies, and defend rights before various courts, making their work dynamic and argument-driven. Judges, on the other hand, serve as impartial decision-makers who interpret the law, evaluate evidence, and ensure fairness in every proceeding.
1% of Lawyers make 99% of the money…
Can a judge kick out a lawyer?
If the trial has not yet begun, and there is a sufficient amount of time for another defense attorney to take over the case, removal may be considered.
Who's more powerful than a judge?
While judges hold significant authority in court, others wield different forms of power, including Legislators (Congress) who make laws judges interpret, the President who enforces them and appoints judges, Prosecutors (DAs) who heavily influence case outcomes through charging decisions, and even Juries who determine facts, all operating within a system of checks and balances where power is distributed, not absolute.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Do judges get salary for life?
(a) Any justice or judge of the United States appointed to hold office during good behavior may retire from the office after attaining the age and meeting the service requirements, whether continuous or otherwise, of subsection (c) and shall, during the remainder of his lifetime, receive an annuity equal to the salary ...
Can a judge still be a lawyer?
(5) Practice of Law. A judge should not practice law and should not serve as a family member's lawyer in any forum. A judge may, however, act pro se and may, without compensation, give legal advice to and draft or review documents for a member of the judge's family.
Do lawyers make $500 an hour?
For instance, lawyers in major cities like New York or San Francisco often charge upwards of $500 per hour, reflecting the market's demand for legal services in these areas. Conversely, attorneys in smaller towns may charge more modest rates, sometimes as low as $100 to $200 per hour.
How old is the youngest judge?
At just 25, Jasmine Twitty made history in 2015 by becoming the youngest municipal court judge in U.S. history when she was appointed in Easley, South Carolina.
What percent of people fail law school?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.
Can a lawyer make $1 million a year?
Yes, lawyers can absolutely make $1 million or more per year, especially partners in top "Big Law" firms, elite corporate lawyers, successful firm owners, and specialists in high-value fields like mergers & acquisitions, personal injury (contingency fees), or intellectual property. Reaching this level often requires treating the practice as a business, specializing in lucrative areas, generating high revenue, leveraging associate work, and sometimes handling large-scale deals or multi-million dollar settlements, rather than just typical hourly billing.
Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer or attorney?
No, Kim Kardashian is not yet a lawyer or attorney; she is still working towards passing the California Bar Exam, having recently failed it again in late 2025, despite completing her legal studies through an apprenticeship program and passing the \"baby bar\" in 2021. She consistently expresses her commitment to becoming a licensed attorney, viewing her setbacks as motivation to keep studying for the full bar exam.
What is a judge's average salary?
Average base salary
The average salary for a judge is $160,821 per year in California. 34 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated December 9, 2025).
At what age do most judges retire?
Mandatory retirement age ranges from 60 – 75 years. Judges serving on constitutional courts usually serve a single 7 – 12-year term. Lower court judges are usually appointed for a renewable term of years, and may also subject to a performance review and a mandatory retirement age.
What is the president's salary?
The U.S. President receives a $400,000 annual salary, a rate set in 2001, plus a $50,000 expense account for official duties, a $100,000 non-taxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment, along with perks like housing, healthcare, and security, though some presidents donate their salary.
Which judge has the highest salary?
The highest-paid judge in the U.S. federal system is the Chief Justice of the United States, earning $312,200 annually as of 2024, followed by Supreme Court Associate Justices at $298,500, while Judge Judy (Judy Sheindlin) earned significantly more ($47 million/year) in her television role before retiring, highlighting that entertainment judges far out-earn public officials.
How rich is the average lawyer?
In general, the five highest-paying states for lawyers are as follows: California ($201,530) Massachusetts ($196,230) New York ($188,900)
How difficult is law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
Who can overrule a judge?
Only appellate justices have the power to overturn another judge's ruling.
Who is the kindest judge?
The show of love and support for the beloved Judge Frank Caprio, overwhelming. This proves that kindness and compassion especially in the courtroom go a long way. He was the judge of all people.
Is a jury or judge better?
Lawyer folk wisdom often points to choosing a jury if a case has emotional appeal, and choosing a judge if a case is complex and based on technical legal questions. Of course, you may end up with a jury trial even if you prefer a judge trial because your adversary may have an independent right to insist on having one.