How much does a judge make in Des Moines?
$147,500a year
Median yearly pay for judges in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $70.92 an hour or $12,290 a month.
- Hourly
- $70.92
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 46 of 98
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,470Median: $147,500Highest 10%: $178,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,470 | $21.86 | |
| 25th | $45,470 | $21.86 | |
| Median | $147,500 | $70.92 | |
| 75th | $166,000 | $79.78 | |
| 90th | $178,200 | $85.69 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for judges.
| Omaha, NE | $208,200 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Lawyer | $134,600 |
| Administrative Law Judge | $127,500 |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $60,080 |
| Legal Support Worker | $44,470 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a judge make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $70.92 ($147,500 a year).
Do judges make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $147,500 against $154,000 nationally, 4% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $147,500, so Des Moines pays 0% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for judge pay?
46 of 98 metro areas with data.
How much does a judge make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,470 or less a year; the top 10% make $178,200 or more.
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.