<p>that’s what I’ve heard, and read on the internet in some places. why is this true, I thought a judge is higher in rank</p>
<p>A lot of judges wonder the same thing.</p>
<p>Judges make a salary. In new jersey, i believe a judge makes about $180/190,000 a year.</p>
<p>so good lawyers make more money than judges.</p>
<p>judges are not “higher” than lawyers. it is an elected position - just a different job. Judges work for the state - private attornies don’t.</p>
<p>Yes, good lawyers make more than judges. I think that Supreme Court judges make about $190,000/year. Then again, they are government employees. The President makes about $400,000/year, which is pretty meager compensation for a CEO (best analog to that position). Taxpayers would be irate if they had to pay, say, a million dollars a year in salary to federal judges.</p>
<p>(Some state judges are elected. Others are appointed. All federal judges are appointed.)</p>
<p>If you want the money, be a lawyer. If you are beyond outstanding in the field, you’ll have the opportunity to be a judge; if you want money, don’t do it. </p>
<p>There’s a long list of highly prestiguous gov’t positions that don’t pay very much relative to the private sector. Senators, Congressmen, the President, his Cabinet, law clerks, and judges are undercompensated compared to the private sector, but the prestige and, yes, power of those positions is enormous. </p>
<p>If you have time, scroll through abovethelaw.com or underneaththeirrobes.com and realise that no one really does that sort of thing for any old partner in a law firm. ;)</p>
<p>Duh. All the great jobs that award a lot of prestige or are highly desired don’t make any money (versus their nearest opportunity costs). Harvard Comedy writers, Med-school-avoiding marine biologists, and yes, judges, don’t make any money.</p>
<p>Case in point: John Roberts was the head of the appellate division of a large Washington DC firm for many years before becoming a judge. He made an easy 7 figures. Now as the most powerful judge in the world, he makes 190k a year. </p>
<p>But I hear he gets good medical.</p>
<p>It is extremely unlikely the vast majority of lawyers will become judges anyways so its a moot point.</p>
<p>SB - you might want to re-write your last sentence. ;)</p>
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<p>Yes… like being CEO of Microsoft or playing for the NBA… those guys are nearly homeless.</p>
<p>also remember, while being a judge is a top top position that earns you lots of respect - its the lawyers on the judicial selection boards which hold the real power ;-).</p>
<p>Most people don’t want these kinds of jobs in and of themselves. They usually want the money or the glamour. </p>
<p>For example using your cases:</p>
<p>1) Not a lot of people want the responsibility of dealing with the daily workings of a large company. Most just want the money and of itself.</p>
<p>2) Outside of the African-American community, not a lot of people want to be NBA stars. The most common type of sports people want to play in America would probably be baseball and there are tons more players in the minor leagues playing for love of the game (and a small chance of making the majors) than there are in the Major Leagues. </p>
<p>Most people find work that is rewarding on a personal far more satisfying than working for money. More often than not, these jobs pay relatively small salaries.</p>
<p>I think SB has a valid point.</p>
<p>Often the cool, prestigious jobs don’t pay as well.</p>
<p>for example, archtitects, professors, journalists (very prestige and cool) don’t pay as well as engineering, nursing, accountanting (not quite as cool, but somewhat prestigious).</p>
<p>“There’s a long list of highly prestiguous gov’t positions that don’t pay very much relative to the private sector. Senators, Congressmen,…”
Don’t make me laugh. Senators have easily 7-figure incomes.</p>
<p>Vistor1, Senators make about than 250 thousand a year and Congressmen 200. That does not put them anywhere close to the high earners in this country. They would make 7 figures, probably if they worked in the private sector. Senators would never give themselves huge pay raises anyway because then they would all lose the elections, and pay raises only happen after the next election (ex if congress decided to double their pay now it wouldnt go into affect till January, but then people have already been voted out). They wouldnt get the money so there is no incentive to get a million dollars. Either way they get enough gifts to make a little compensation for not having as much cash. </p>
<p>Also, freshmen congressmen live in their offices. Getting an apartment in Georgetown is way to expensive for them to afford on that salary. Judges, Congressmen, and even the Prez take pay cuts so they can have power.</p>
<p>Note: I am just making up numbers for how much Senators make. I doubt they make this much, probably 50 thousand less.</p>
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<p>i’m really sorry if this comes off a little rude, but i really see no value to be had by coming to these forums and making up numbers supposedly to prove your point. especially on a law school forum where people presumably are either lawyers, law students, or prospective law students. </p>
<p>to all you prospective law students out there – i suggest you learn to take the time to have the facts to back up arguments you make – its a skill that will come in handy as a lawyer and keep you from getting bogged down in silly arguments over how realistic your made-up numbers may or may not be.</p>
<p>it took me about 5 minutes to find the following info regarding federal gov’t salaries, including, senators, representatives, and judges:
<a href=“U.S. Senate: 404 Error Page”>U.S. Senate: 404 Error Page;
<p>Well said, unbelievablem.</p>
<p>My numbers were close! :)</p>
<p>Senators can make money on the side - many of them are also attorneys. Judges are not allowed to do that.</p>
<p>Remember, the key word is RELATIVE and OPPORTUNITY COST. Most of the people holding prestigious positions can often make more money elsewhere. Most Senators can easily make 7 figure salaries as consultants alone after leaving office.</p>
<p>Perhaps, SB, but can you really say that money is the most important thing to a Senator when you don’t see too many Senators voluntarily leaving office?</p>