State Judge Salaries Remain Largely Flat in 2011

According to the National Center for State Courts’ most recent Survey of Judicial Salaries, state judicial salaries nationwide increased by 0.6% on average in 2011.  This is similar to the national average in 2010 but below the average annual increase of 3.2% from 2003 through 2007.

For example, the 2011 average salary reported for Connecticut general jurisdiction trial judges was $146,780.  This was ranked 14^th highest among the states in absolute terms, but 45^th when adjusted for cost of living.  Illinois had the highest average salaries for trial court judges ($180,802) in both absolute terms and when adjusted for cost of living.

This session, the Connecticut general assembly passed a law (PA 12-93) creating a commission on judicial compensation to make recommendations on judicial salaries after considering various factors, such as the state economy and salary comparisons with other states.  The public act summary is available here.