Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
SOC Code: 23-1023
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates carries a 37% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $156,210 and +2.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 27,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates (SOC 23-1023) carries an AI exposure score of 37%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 27,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.5% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $156,210, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Doctoral or professional degree, plus 5 years or more of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
- 2. Rule on custody and access disputes, and enforce court orders regarding custody and support of children.
- 3. Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
- 4. Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
- 5. Write decisions on cases.
- 6. Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
- 7. Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
- 8. Preside over hearings and listen to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supports the charges.
- 9. Award compensation for damages to litigants in civil cases in relation to findings by juries or by the court.
- 10. Conduct preliminary hearings to decide issues, such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Therapy and Counseling
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Sociology and Anthropology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates?
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates has an AI exposure score of 37%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is projected to grow by 2.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 27,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates?
Key skills for Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates earn?
The median annual wage for Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is $156,210, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates?
The typical entry-level education for Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates is Doctoral or professional degree. Employers generally expect 5 years or more of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates?
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).