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Magistrate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Magistrate information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$94.3K

$209.7K

How much do magistrate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for magistrate in California is $94,252.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,400.00 and $140,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What degree is needed to be a magistrate?

To become a magistrate, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in law, criminal justice, or a related field. In many jurisdictions, prior legal experience or a legal qualification such as a law degree (JD or LLB) is also required, along with passing specific exams or training programs.

What do you need to be a magistrate?

To become a magistrate, candidates typically need to be at least 18 years old, have a good character, and meet specific legal or judicial experience requirements depending on the jurisdiction. In some areas, completing relevant training or certification is necessary, and applicants often undergo background checks and interviews as part of the selection process.

What is a magistrate?

A Magistrate is a judicial officer who presides over court proceedings, typically handling minor criminal offenses, civil disputes, preliminary hearings, and administrative matters. They may issue warrants, set bail, and make legal determinations based on evidence and applicable laws. Magistrates operate within lower courts and play a crucial role in the judicial system by ensuring due process and fair proceedings. Their responsibilities vary by jurisdiction but generally focus on resolving cases efficiently and upholding the rule of law.

What are some common challenges magistrates face in their daily work?

Magistrates frequently encounter complex cases involving tight deadlines, high caseload volumes, and emotionally charged situations, all of which demand careful judgment and resilience. They must remain impartial while interpreting and applying the law, often under public scrutiny. Collaboration with court staff, attorneys, and law enforcement is essential to ensure proper courtroom procedures and timely case resolutions. Successfully managing these challenges requires strong organizational skills, empathy, and the ability to quickly adapt to new legal developments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Magistrate jobs in California?

The most popular types of Magistrate jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Magistrate jobs in California?

For Magistrate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Magistrate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Magistrate jobs in California are:

Magistrate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Magistrate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,252 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE (FULL-TIME)

United States District Court - Northern District of California

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$229K/yr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

PUBLIC NOTICE

MAGISTRATE JUDGE VACANCY

San Francisco

Applications are invited for the position of

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE (FULL-TIME)

For the United States District Court for the Northern District of California

San Francisco

Magistrate judges in the Northern District are authorized to perform the full range of duties provided for magistrate judges under the applicable statute. In particular, the Court encourages civil litigants to consent to the jurisdiction of magistrate judges for all purposes up to and including bench or jury trial, with appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court sponsors a comprehensive program of judicially-hosted settlement conferences and other forms of alternative dispute resolution in which the magistrate judges play a critical role. In addition to their work on civil cases for which they have obtained the consent of the parties and on settlement conferences, the magistrate judges may handle pretrial case management and motions on cases assigned to the district judges. With respect to criminal cases, the magistrate judges exercise complete jurisdiction over petty offense and misdemeanor cases and handle preliminary proceedings in felony cases.

The current annual salary of the position is $229,908, and is set at the rate of 92% of the salary of a district court judge. The term of office is eight years, subject to reappointment for continuing eight-year terms thereafter. The judicial retirement system provides for vesting of a partial annuity after eight years, and, after 14 years of service, a magistrate judge is entitled to an annuity equal to the salary of the office, payable at age 65. The other benefits of federal employment apply.

To be qualified for appointment, an applicant must:

  1. Be, and have been for at least five years, a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands of the United States, and have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years (with some substitutes authorized);

  2. Be competent to perform all the duties of the office; be of good moral character; be emotionally stable and mature; be committed to equal justice under the law; be in good health; be patient and courteous; and be capable of deliberation and decisiveness;

  3. Be less than 70 years old; and

  4. Not be related to a judge of the District Court.

A Merit Selection Panel composed of attorneys and other members of the community will review all applications and confidentially recommend to the judges of the District Court the candidates it considers best qualified. The Court will make the appointment on or after January 10, 2026, following an FBI full-field investigation and an IRS tax check of the appointee.

The individual selected must comply with the financial disclosure requirements pursuant to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Pub. L. No. 95-521, 90 Stat. 1824 (1978) (codified at 5 U.S.C. app. 4 §§ 101-111) as implemented by the Judicial Conference of the United States. An affirmative effort will be made to give due consideration to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, sexual orientation, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, age (40 years and over), disability, or service in the uniformed forces. An Information and Application Package may be obtained on the court’s website at cand.uscourts.gov.

**Applications must be signed personally by the applicant and received by May 11, 2025.

All applications will be kept confidential unless the applicant consents to disclosure, and all applications will be examined only by members of the Merit Selection Panel and the judges of the District Court. The panel’s deliberations will remain confidential.


Apply