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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates salary in Kansas City, Missouri

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Kansas City metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$150,430
Mean annual$151,600
Range (10th to 90th)$66,430 to $180,020
Kansas City, Missouri employment200
State vs national+18.9% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Kansas City judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$66,43025TH$140,770MEDIAN$150,43075TH$169,79090TH$180,020

The middle 50% of workers earn between $140,770 and $169,790, with a median of $150,430.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Doctoral or professional degree

  • Experience

    5 years or more

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    5.0 / 5
  • Law and Government

    Knowledge

    4.9 / 5
  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.9 / 5
  • Deductive Reasoning

    Ability

    4.6 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.6 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.4 / 5
  • Inductive Reasoning

    Ability

    4.3 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.

  2. 02

    Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.

  3. 03

    Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.

  4. 04

    Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.

  5. 05

    Write decisions on cases.

  6. 06

    Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.

  7. 07

    Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.

  8. 08

    Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.

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Other metros in Missouri

How the Kansas City metro compares to other major Missouri metro areas for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Kansas City, Missouri?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in the Kansas City metropolitan area is $150,430.
Does Kansas City pay more than the Missouri state average for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
The Kansas City metro median is -3.7% versus the Missouri state median of $156,210.
How does Kansas City compare to the national median for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
The Kansas City metro median is +18.9% versus the BLS national figure of $126,559.
What is the salary range for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates in Kansas City?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $66,430 and the 90th-percentile at $180,020 for the Kansas City metro area.
What education is required for Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Kansas City CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.