Writing note showing Jury Duty.

How Much Do You Get Paid for Jury Duty?

Jurors are typically paid daily and may receive travel and mileage reimbursement. The pay rate for jury duty varies depending on whether state or federal courts handle the trial. Some counties may also offer a different rate compared to the state rate.

The daily pay rate ranges from $5 to $60 per day. Several states also require employers to provide paid time off for employees serving jury duty.

Here is a closer look at how much you get paid for jury duty.

Juror Duty Pay Rates for Federal Courts

Jurors receive $50 per day to serve on the jury during Federal trials. However, jurors receive an extra $10 per day when serving on lengthy trials.

Jurors who serve on a petit jury receive $50 per day during the first ten days of a trial. Jurors who serve on a grand jury receive $50 during the first 45 days of a trial. After the 10-day or 45-day limit, jurors receive $60 per day.

The government also pays jurors $7 per day to cover transportation expenses and parking fees. Jurors who stay overnight may receive a subsistence allowance to cover meals and lodging.

The Federal government increased the daily pay rate from $40 to $50 in 2018. It was the first pay raise for jurors in 28 years.

Juror Duty Pay Rates for State Courts

Jurors tend to receive less compensation when serving on a jury at the state or local level compared to Federal trials. The lowest pay rate is $5, while the highest is $50 per day.

The following states pay $50 per day for jury duty:

  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Massachusetts
  • South Dakota

Alabama, Nevada, New York, and Wyoming pay $40 per day. The District of Columbia (DC), Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Vermont, and Virginia have pay rates of $30 per day. Many other states offer pay rates between $15 and $25. However, a handful of states pay jurors $10 or less per day:

  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Washington

Keep in mind that the pay rate may vary between counties. For example, the state of Georgia pays jurors $50 per day. However, some Georgia counties only pay $5 per day.

The state of Illinois does not have a set pay rate for jurors. It is decided at the county level. In Lake County, jurors receive $5 per day. Jurors at the Cook County Circuit Court receive $17.50 per day.

Jurors are also entitled to compensation for travel expenses. However, the details vary from state to state. The reimbursement for travel expenses is typically determined based on mileage.

For example, in Florida, jurors receive $0.56 per mile traveled. In Utah, jurors receive $1 per mile.

Some states also offer subsistence payments for jurors that stay overnight or travel over a specified number of miles. The subsistence payments are typically enough to cover a single meal.

Do Employers Provide Pay to Employees Serving Jury Duty?

Federal law does not require employers to continue paying your salary if you serve on a jury. However, the government does offer employment protection for jurors.

Under the Jury System Improvement Act of 1978, employers must also provide employees with time off to fulfill their jury duties. Employers cannot discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce a permanent employee due to their jury service.

While Federal law does not enforce paid time off for jurors, some states have laws requiring employers to cover the jurors’ wages. The following states require employers to provide paid time off:

  • Alabama
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Louisiana
  • Massachusetts
  • Nebraska
  • New York
  • Tennessee

In most states, employers must pay employees regular wages for all working hours spent performing jury duty. Fifteen states also prohibit employers from forcing employees to use paid sick, personal, or vacation time to cover their time off.

If the employer continues to pay an employee their regular wages during the time off needed for jury duty, they may need to sign over their jury duty compensation. The jury duty payment is submitted to the employer, as the employee is not receiving reduced wages.

Does the Jury Pay Rate Meet Minimum Wage Requirements?

Jurors may receive close to the minimum wage for fulfilling their civic duty. Most jury trials involve full days in court, with schedules running from 9 AM to 5 PM. Jurors receive a one-hour lunch break and two short breaks.

The maximum pay for a juror is $60 per day for Federal trials that last more than ten days. At $60 per day, a juror earns about $7.50 per hour, which exceeds the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. However, state courts often pay less.

Several states offer less than $10 per day to jurors, resulting in a pay rate of about $1 per hour. Yet, permanent employees may still receive their normal wages from their employers, as jury duty may qualify as paid time off.

Is Jury Duty Pay Considered Taxable Income?

Jury duty payments are taxable income, whether from the state or the Federal government. The courts typically send jurors a 1099-G or 1099-MISC tax form, including the jury duty payment. The income is included on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), along with your standard income.

Individuals who need to sign over their jury duty pay to employers due to continued paid time off from the employer can deduct the jury payment from their taxable income.

Travel expense reimbursements and subsistence payments are not taxable. You do not include the money received for travel or food on your tax returns.

Summary

Jurors receive between $5 and $60 per day to participate in jury trials. The Federal government pays $50 per day for short trials and $60 per day for longer trials. Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, and South Dakota also pay jurors $50 per day. However, most states have pay rates between $10 and $30 per day.

In the end, if you receive a jury notice, check the laws of your state to ensure that your employer or the courts adequately compensate you.