How much does a court make in California?
$63,320a year
Median yearly pay for courts in California. That is $30.44 an hour or $5,277 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.44
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 12,460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,110Median: $63,320Highest 10%: $84,190
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,110 | $23.61 | |
| 25th | $58,170 | $27.97 | |
| Median | $63,320 | $30.44 | |
| 75th | $74,040 | $35.60 | |
| 90th | $84,190 | $40.48 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $83,490 |
| San Francisco, CA | $77,750 |
| Modesto, CA | $65,640 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,610 |
| Riverside, CA | $64,550 |
| Salinas, CA | $63,830 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $63,720 |
| Oxnard, CA | $63,240 |
| Sacramento, CA | $63,240 |
| Stockton, CA | $63,240 |
| Vallejo, CA | $63,240 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $63,160 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $62,380 |
| El Centro, CA | $61,330 |
| Fresno, CA | $60,850 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $60,570 |
| Yuba City, CA | $60,010 |
| San Diego, CA | $59,310 |
| Redding, CA | $59,250 |
| Merced, CA | $57,450 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $55,220 |
| Hanford, CA | $54,310 |
| Visalia, CA | $51,150 |
| Chico, CA | $49,290 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for courts.
| 1. District of Columbia | $66,130 |
| 2. Washington | $64,680 |
| 3. California | $63,320 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $61,730 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $61,670 |
| 6. Oregon | $61,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a court make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $30.44 ($63,320 a year).
Do courts make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $63,320 against $48,700 nationally, 30% more.
Where does California rank for court pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays courts the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $83,490 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.