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Judge Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Department of Justice

Immigration Judge

Chelmsford, MA

$159K/yr

Immigration Judges work with a team that includes attorneys, legal assistants, and other support staff. Full-time, Part-Time and Intermittent work schedules are available. See "Additional Information ...

Department of Justice

Immigration Judge

Boston, MA

$159K/yr

Immigration Judges work with a team that includes attorneys, legal assistants, and other support staff. Full-time, Part-Time and Intermittent work schedules are available. See "Additional Information ...

Department of Labor

Administrative Law Judge

Boston, MA · On-site

$154K/yr

Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Administrative Law Judges (ALJ). All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. The Required Documents section of this announcement identifies all documents ...

The Judge Group

Senior Account Executive

Waltham, MA · On-site +1

$75K - $100K/yr

The Judge Group, established in 1970, is an international professional services firm headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia area. Judge is a global leader in technology consulting, staffing ...

The Judge Group

Senior Account Executive

Waltham, MA · On-site +1

$75K - $100K/yr

The Judge Group, established in 1970, is an international professional services firm headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia area. Judge is a global leader in technology consulting, staffing ...

The Judge Group

Senior Account Executive

Waltham, MA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

The Judge Group, established in 1970, is an international professional services firm headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia area. Judge is a global leader in technology consulting, staffing ...

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All JobsJudge JobsJudge Jobs in Massachusetts

Judge information

See Massachusetts salary details

$6

$33

$88

How much do judge jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for judge in Massachusetts is $33.68, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $36.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a judge?

Judges are legal professionals who preside over court proceedings, interpret and apply the law, and ensure that trials and hearings are conducted fairly. Their responsibilities include making rulings on legal matters, instructing juries, and sometimes determining the outcome of cases. Judges may work in various courts, such as criminal, civil, family, or appellate courts, depending on their area of expertise and jurisdiction. They play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and maintaining justice within the legal system.

What does a judge do?

As a judge, you can work in the state, local, or federal courts. In the courtroom, your responsibilities include overseeing the proceedings, managing the legal process, enforcing the rules of the court, ensuring that evidence is relevant to the proceedings, determining if lawyers’ requests during trials or hearings are viable, and helping to prevent jury tampering during a case. Outside the courtroom, your duties often involve performing research to help you make sound decisions in court. You evaluate and read the evidence, records, testimony, and motions that are relevant to the cases that you are presiding over.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a judge, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Judge, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, extensive legal experience, and a deep understanding of the law and judicial procedures. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management systems, and courtroom technology is typically required. Outstanding critical thinking, impartiality, and strong communication skills set exceptional judges apart. These competencies ensure fair, efficient, and well-reasoned judicial decisions that uphold the integrity of the legal system.

What are some common challenges judges face in managing their courtroom and caseload?

Judges often face the challenge of balancing a high volume of cases while ensuring each receives thorough and fair consideration. Managing courtroom proceedings efficiently requires strong organizational skills, decisiveness, and the ability to handle unexpected developments, such as last-minute evidence or uncooperative parties. Additionally, judges must maintain impartiality and control over the courtroom atmosphere, even in emotionally charged or complex cases. Effective communication with attorneys, clerks, and other court staff is also essential to keep proceedings on track.

What is the difference between Judge vs Magistrate?

AspectJudgeMagistrate
CredentialsLegal degree, bar admission, judicial appointmentLegal degree, bar admission, often appointed or elected
Work EnvironmentCourts of general jurisdiction, handling serious civil/criminal casesLower courts, handling minor criminal cases, preliminary hearings, and misdemeanors
Industry UsageUsed across federal, state, and local courtsPrimarily in local and lower courts
Common Search/ComparisonJudgeMagistrate

Judges and magistrates both preside over court proceedings, but judges typically handle more complex and serious cases in higher courts, requiring extensive experience and credentials. Magistrates usually work in lower courts, managing preliminary matters and minor offenses. While both roles require legal qualifications, judges often have broader authority and responsibilities within the judicial system.

Can I be a judge without a degree?

Becoming a judge typically requires a law degree and extensive legal experience, as judges are usually licensed attorneys. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, but most courts mandate a law degree and passing the bar exam before appointment or election to the bench.

Is it hard to get a job as a judge?

Securing a job as a judge is highly competitive and requires extensive legal experience, typically including many years as a practicing attorney or legal professional. Candidates often need to be appointed or elected, and must demonstrate strong legal knowledge, integrity, and often political support or community recognition.

What are related careers to a judge?

Related careers to a judge include magistrates, magistrate judges, legal analysts, and court administrators. These roles often require a background in law, strong decision-making skills, and knowledge of legal procedures. Many of these positions involve working within the judicial or legal system and may require relevant certifications or experience.

Which degree is best for a judge?

A judge typically needs a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. After earning the degree, candidates must pass the state bar exam and gain legal experience before being appointed or elected to a judgeship. Strong knowledge of law, analytical skills, and courtroom experience are essential for the role.
More about Judge jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Judge jobs in Massachusetts?

The most popular types of Judge jobs in Massachusetts are:

What are popular job titles related to Judge jobs in Massachusetts?

For Judge jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Judge jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Judge jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Judge jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Judge job openings:

Judge jobs near you
Infographic showing various Judge job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 29% Contract, and 14% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $70,061 per year, or $33.7 per hour.

Immigration Judge

Department of Justice

Chelmsford, MA

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Duties

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**Recruitment Incentive** Recruiting incentives of up to 25% of base pay, will be considered for first time federal employees who apply to the following locations:

  • New York (Broadway) Immigration Court
  • New York (Fed Plaza) Immigration Court
  • New York (Varick) Immigration Court
  • Los Angeles (West) Immigration Court
  • San Francisco Immigration Court
  • Chelmsford Immigration Court
  • Boston Immigration Court
  • Concord Immigration Court
  • Santa Ana Immigration Court
  • Sacramento Immigration Court

A service agreement will be required for those candidates who are found to be eligible, for a specified amount of time, as directed by the agency.

EOIR plays a pivotal role in the administration of the Nation's immigration system. EOIR's mission is to adjudicate immigration cases by fairly, expeditiously, and uniformly interpreting and administering the Nation's immigration laws.

Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR conducts immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and other administrative hearings. EOIR consists of three adjudicatory components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of the immigration judges' decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases.

Immigration Judges preside over formal, quasi-judicial hearings. Proceedings before Immigration Judges include but are not limited to removal and bond adjudications, and involve issues of removability as well as applications for relief such as asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status. Immigration Judges make decisions that are final, subject to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

In connection with these proceedings, Immigration Judges exercise certain discretionary powers as provided by law and are required to exercise independent judgment in reaching final decisions. Immigration Judges may be required to conduct hearings in penal institutions and other remote locations.

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