Judicial Branch (Judicial Branch) — Salaries & Pay 2026
Judicial Branch employs 159 civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024). Judicial Branch's verified average salary is $125,529/year (OPM FedScope, 2026).
FTE Source: OMB Analytical Perspectives, FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 • Salary Source: OPM FWD, April 2026
Judicial Branch Pay at a Glance
The Judicial Branch employed 159 civilian FTE as of FY2024 (OMB). The verified average salary for Judicial Branch is $125,529/year as of 2026 (OPM FedScope). Use our GS Pay Calculator for your exact salary by grade, step, and location.
159
Civilian FTE (OMB, FY2024)
$126K
Judicial Branch verified avg salary (2026)
GS 1–15
General Schedule pay range
FTE = full-time equivalent; part-time employees count fractionally. Salary is base pay + locality pay; excludes benefits. View agency salary detail on OPM FedScope →
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Judicial Branch Employment Overview
| Metric | Value | Source & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian FTE (FY2024) | 159 | OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget, Table 5-1 (2024 Actual). FTE, not headcount. |
| Avg Agency Salary | $125,529 | OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot, REDACTED records excluded. Base + locality pay; excludes benefits. |
| Pay system | General Schedule (GS) + others | Most Judicial Branch civilians on GS (15 grades × 10 steps). Some on SES, SL/ST, wage grade, or special rate tables. |
| Pay period | Biweekly (26×/yr) | Divide annual salary by 26 for biweekly gross pay. |
| Locality pay | 17.06% – 44.15% | Varies by duty station across 58 OPM pay areas. Rate × base pay = locality supplement. |
| Pay cap (2026) | $197,200 | Executive Schedule Level IV. Applies to GS employees whose locality-adjusted salary would exceed this amount. |
Common Occupations at Judicial Branch
Major occupational categories employed at Judicial Branch. Actual pay for each category depends on GS grade, step, and duty station. Use the GS Pay Calculator for a personalized figure.
- ✓Attorneys and law clerks (Federal Public Defender offices)
- ✓Court administrators and legal support
- ✓IT and systems management (AOUSC)
- ✓HR and financial management
- ✓Administrative support
About Judicial Branch
OPM's EHRI data for "Judicial Branch" (dept_code JL) captures only the subset of judicial branch employees who are under OPM jurisdiction — primarily staff at the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and Federal Public Defender offices. The approximately 34,000 Article III federal judges and the much larger federal court workforce are compensated under the Judicial Salary Plan, outside the GS system, and are not captured here. The $125,529 average reflects the professional and administrative staff at the GS-11 to GS-13 level — primarily attorneys and program administrators at the AOUSC.
Calculate Your Exact Judicial Branch Salary
Your actual pay depends on your GS grade, step, and duty station locality. Use our free calculator for an instant, accurate result.
Judicial Branch Pay — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary at the Judicial Branch?↓
The verified average salary at Judicial Branch is $125,529 as of 2026, based on OPM EHRI Employment Snapshot data where REDACTED records are excluded. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your exact salary based on grade, step, and duty station.
How many employees does the Judicial Branch have?↓
The Judicial Branch employed 159 full-time equivalent (FTE) civilian employees as of FY2024, per the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget Table 5-1. FTE figures count part-time employees as fractions of a full-time position.
How is federal pay determined at Judicial Branch?↓
Federal civilian pay is set by the General Schedule (GS) pay system for most employees. Pay = Base Pay (by grade and step) × (1 + Locality Rate). Judicial Branch employees in different metropolitan areas receive different locality adjustments — from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to over 44% in San Jose-San Francisco. Use our GS Pay Calculator to find your rate.
Do Judicial Branch employees receive federal benefits?↓
Yes. Judicial Branch employees receive the full federal benefits package: FERS retirement (pension + Social Security + TSP with agency match), FEHB health insurance, FEGLI life insurance, Federal Dental and Vision (FEDVIP), and flexible spending accounts. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator to estimate your retirement income.
What is the FERS retirement benefit for Judicial Branch employees?↓
FERS pension = High-3 Average Salary × Years of Service × 1% (or 1.1% if you retire at 62+ with 20+ years). For example, a Judicial Branch employee with a $100,000 High-3 salary and 30 years of service would receive $30,000/year ($2,500/month) in FERS pension, plus Social Security and TSP savings. Use our FERS Retirement Calculator for a personalized estimate.
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Data Accuracy Notice: FTE figures are from the OMB Analytical Perspectives FY2027 Budget (Table 5-1, 2024 Actual), a U.S. government official publication. Salary figures come from OPM's Federal Workforce Data portal (April 2026). Agency-specific averages are shown only when the public EHRI records are representative; redaction-limited agencies use the government-wide benchmark. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. Always verify current pay rates with your agency HR office and OPM.gov.