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Judge Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Elk River

Election Judge

Elk River, MN · On-site

$18/hr

Election Judges are essential to our democracy! Election judges staff polling places, administer election procedures, and ensure the rights of voters are protected on Election Day. The city needs ...

City of Bloomington, MN

Election Judge

Bloomington, MN · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

Election judges play a critical role in our democracy. As an election judge, you are responsible for administering election procedures at the polling place. This is a great opportunity to serve your ...

City of Elk River

Election Judge

Elk River, MN

$18/hr

Election Judges are essential to our democracy! Election judges staff polling places, administer election procedures, and ensure the rights of voters are protected on Election Day. The city needs ...

City of Bloomington

Election Judge

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$14 - $17/hr

Election judges play a critical role in our democracy. As an election judge, you are responsible for administering election procedures at the polling place. This is a great opportunity to serve your ...

City of Inver Grove Heights, MN

Election Judge

MN · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Essential Job Functions Election Judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in each precinct on each Election Day. Serving as an Election Judge is an opportunity to give ...

City of Farmington, MN

Election Judge

Farmington, MN · On-site

$13.50 - $15/hr

Head Election Judge wage is $15.00 per hour As an Election Judge you will be responsible for: * Reporting to work at the assigned time * Provide professional, courteous, and respectful service ...

City of Farmington (MN)

Election Judge

Farmington, MN

$13.50 - $15/hr

2026 Election Judge Application The City of Farmington is now accepting applications for Election Judges and Head Election Judges. Election Judge wage is $13.50 per hour. Head Election Judge wage is ...

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How much do judge jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for judge in Minnesota is $30.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $33.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I be a judge without a degree?

Becoming a judge typically requires a law degree and extensive legal experience, as most jurisdictions mandate a law degree from an accredited institution. In some regions, certain judicial positions may have different requirements, but generally, a law degree and bar admission are essential qualifications for judges. Additional certifications or training may also be necessary depending on the specific role and jurisdiction.

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.

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 reputation.

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 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.

What are related careers to a judge?

Related careers to a judge include magistrates, magistrate judges, court clerks, legal analysts, and attorneys such as prosecutors and defense lawyers. These roles often require legal knowledge, strong decision-making skills, and familiarity with courtroom procedures.
More about Judge jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Judge jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Judge jobs in Minnesota are:
What are popular job titles related to Judge jobs in Minnesota? For Judge jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Judge jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Judge jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Judge jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Judge job openings:
Judge jobs near you
Infographic showing various Judge job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,455 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Election Judge

City of Inver Grove Heights

Inver Grove Heights, MN

$14 - $16/hr

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position Description Inver Grove Heights' polling locations are staffed by citizens who are appointed as Election Judges. In 2026 there will be two elections. State Primary on Tuesday August 11th General Election on Tuesday November 3rd In addition to working those days, Election Judge training (paid) is required prior to working in a precinct on Election Day.

Multiple training sessions will be offered throughout the year. Essential Job Functions Election Judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in each precinct on each Election Day. Serving as an Election Judge is an opportunity to give back to the community.

Throughout each election day you will perform all of the following activities: Prepare the polling location for voting activities. (Set up equipment and voting materials.) Be a Greeter Judge. (Greet voters and verify polling location.) Be a Register/Registration Judge

(Check-In Registered Voters and Register New Voters on the iPad ePollbook.) Be a Ballot Judge. (Demonstrate how to mark a ballot, certify ballots and provide ballots to voters.) Be a Ballot-Counter Judge. (Monitor and resolve ballot counter messages.) Those who serve as Head Judges lead election activities in the precinct

Qualifications You must be at least 18 years of age by the election day you work, a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days, and a citizen of the United States. You cannot be the husband, wife, parent, child, brother or sister of a candidate, or live with a candidate. You cannot be related to or live with another Election Judge working in the same precinct during the same shift.

You cannot be a candidate for the election in which you are serving as an Election Judge. You cannot be an Election Judge unless you can read, write, and speak English. You must be able to stay focused in a noisy and active environment.

You must be comfortable using an iPad or Tablet. To ensure political party balance in each precinct, Election Judges must provide their party affiliation to the City Clerk. (See Supplemental Questions.) Supplemental Information Election Judges will be paid a rate of $14.00 per hour

Head Judges will be paid a rate of $16.00 per hour. Your employer is required to give you time off from work to be an Election Judge without a reduction in pay.* To qualify, you must: Notify your employer in writing at least 20 days in advance of Election Day. Attach a copy of your schedule and pay rate form (provided by the City) to your written notice

*"Without a reduction in pay" means you get to earn at least the same amount you would have, had you gone to work that day. In practice, this means your employer can ask you to turn over the amount you earn as an Election Judge during hours you would have normally been scheduled to work, or your employer can deduct that amount from your normal pay. You can voluntarily take a vacation day to be fully paid by your employer and receive the Election Judge pay you earn as extra income.

An employer cannot force you to take vacation or any other form of paid leave. If requested, the City Clerk will provide a letter identifying the statute that allows for this activity. All Election Judges are required to attend a state-mandated, three-hour elections-training class during every even year.

Several training sessions will be conducted by City elections staff at City Hall during the day and in the evening. Head Judges will have an additional two hours of training for a total of five hours. The City Clerk will notify hired Election Judges of the dates and times for training.

The quantity of Election Judges staffed in each precinct depends upon the needs of each election.

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