LegalUpdated Q1 2026

Judge Salary
in Richmond, VA

Preside over court proceedings, interpret laws, and render decisions in legal disputes. Median salary in Richmond: $135K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$135K
per year
Take-home: $87K

Salary range in Richmond

Entry level (25th)$95,000
Median (50th)$135,000
Senior (75th)$182,000
Top earner (90th)$240,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Richmond, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Richmond

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Richmond's cost-of-living index (98), the median Judge salary buys the equivalent of $137,755 in a US-average-cost city. That's $2,755 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Primarily on-site role

Only 5% of Judge positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Richmond salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Slower wage growth (1.5%/yr)

Judge wages are growing at 1.5% year-over-year β€” slower than the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. Real wages may lag inflation in years where CPI exceeds this rate, so total compensation negotiation (bonus, equity, benefits) matters more than base salary growth for this role.

Key facts for Richmond

Median salary
$135K
annual
Take-home pay
$87K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,350
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Richmond Judge to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $135K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Richmond

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Judge salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$113K$123K$133K$143K$153K201920212023202520272029
2026
$138K
projected
2027
$142K
projected
2028
$145K
projected
2029
$149K
projected
2030
$153K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$135,000+$0
2028 projected$135,000+$0
2029 projected$135,000+$0
2030 projected$135,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Judge Salary in Richmond, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Judge salary in Richmond, VA is $135,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Richmond–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Judge in Richmond

Entry-level Judges in Richmond with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $95,000 and $135,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $135,000 to $182,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $182,000 to $240,000 or more.

Cost of living in Richmond for Judges

Richmond has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Richmond than the national average. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Judge

JD; judicial appointment or election. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Judge salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Richmond (current)$135K98
Virginia Beach$132K98
Norfolk$128K95
Chesapeake$132K98
Newport News$128K95
Arlington$182K148