Also called: JP, Magistrate (Local), Town Justice
A local, often elected judge who handles small claims, traffic tickets, evictions, minor crimes, and sometimes weddings.
A JP might hear a landlord-tenant case in the morning, set bail at the county jail after lunch, and perform a wedding at 5. In states like Texas and New York, many justices aren't lawyers and are elected by their neighbors after state training.
Ranges from part-time rural positions to full-time urban courts. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. Requirements vary by state; many require no law degree, only state-run judicial training after election or appointment.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Political Science, Public Administration.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS judges and magistrates, 2025-35.
Low risk for 10 years. AI may help with paperwork; a local, often elected judge hearing small cases and weddings stays a human community role.
Classes: AP U.S. Government, Speech and debate, Civics, Psychology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 23-1023.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.