Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
Legal
Presides in a courtroom: keeps the proceeding within the rules, rules on what evidence and testimony may come in, and hears the parties' claims. In criminal cases that includes instructing the jury on the law and, after a conviction, imposing a sentence under the statutes that apply. In civil cases it includes deciding liability or awarding damages in line with the jury's findings or the court's own. Between sessions the work is reading pleadings and motions and writing decisions. The role fits those who can listen at length, apply the law to contested facts, and issue a binding ruling.
Typical education: Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$153'990
Median Wage Market Position
$153'990
What you might do
- Preside over hearings and enforce the court rules
- Sentence convicted defendants under the applicable statutes
- Instruct juries on the law and hear their verdicts
- Rule on what evidence lawyers may present
- Write the court's decisions in cases you hear
- Award compensation for damages in civil cases
Skills that matter
- Listening to testimony and allegations
- Ruling on what evidence is admissible
- Reading pleadings and motions for issues
- Writing decisions after hearing a case
- Instructing juries on the applicable law
- Sentencing convicted defendants under statutes
AI & the future of this role
Courtroom authority, sentencing judgment, and public accountability keep this role comparatively secure, since liability and legitimacy rest on a human decision-maker. AI may speed research and drafting of opinions, yet contested facts and fairness still depend on live adjudication.
Does Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details