My Colorado Journey
Back to pathway map
Public SafetyTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Judge/ Magistrate

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

Annual openings

37

Median wage

$198,790

Typical education

Graduation from law school, which is usually 3 years of school after receiving a Bachelor's degree.

Growth 2026–2032

+11%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

Interactive walkthrough

Explore My Colorado Journey Careers

See where to compare pay, job demand, locations, skills, education, and training for a Colorado career.

Open in a new tab

Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Graduation from law school, which is usually 3 years of school after receiving a Bachelor's degree.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Credential detail

No credential is required, but most Judges were first Lawyers.

Work experience

Judges are recommended by a nominating committee and approved by the Governor. A considerable amount of judicial system-related skill, knowledge, or experience is expected.

A good overview of how to become a judge is here.
Judges must appear before the voters on a regular basis so the voters can decide whether a judge should continue to serve.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerMay vary
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Government
  • Courts

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Sentence defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by jury, according to applicable government statutes.
  2. Monitor proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
  3. Instruct juries on applicable laws, direct juries to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdicts.
  4. Write decisions on cases.
  5. Read documents on pleadings and motions to ascertain facts and issues.
  6. Rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
Feedback