Estimate Your Jury Duty Pay
Mileage reimbursement varies by county and court. The default $0.67/mi is the federal court rate; check your summons for your court's rate. Court pay is the stipend paid directly by the court; employer wages are separate.
How Juror Compensation Works
When you serve on a jury, the court pays you a daily stipend. This is not a wage: it is a small payment meant to offset your time, and in most states it is far below a normal day's earnings. A few states pay nothing for the first day or days of service, and several raise the daily rate if a trial runs long.
Separately, some courts reimburse travel (mileage, parking, and sometimes lodging for out-of-town trials). And independently of the court, your employer may be required by state law to keep paying your wages during service. In most states, though, no such requirement exists, and the court stipend is the only pay you are guaranteed.
No state pays a living wage for jury duty. If serving would cause genuine financial hardship, most courts let you request to be excused or deferred. Bring specifics (bills, pay stubs), not general complaints.
Jury Duty Pay by State, October 2026
Rates compiled October 2026 from public state court fee schedules and published compilations (World Population Review, ExcuseFromJury.com, Workforce.com). Rates change; always verify with your local court before relying on them. Tiered rates (e.g. day 1 vs day 4+) are shown in the notes.
| State | Daily court pay | Employer must pay wages? | Notes |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you get paid for jury duty?
It depends on your state and court. Court stipends range from $5 to $50 per day, with several states paying nothing for the first day or days of service. Federal courts pay $50/day for the first 10 days and $60/day after that, plus $0.67 per mile. Use the calculator above to estimate your total.
Does my employer have to pay me during jury duty?
In most states, no. Only about 10 jurisdictions require employers to pay wages during jury service, usually for just the first few days: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Louisiana (one day), Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee, and parts of Florida (Broward and Miami-Dade counties). Everywhere else, your employer must give you the time off and cannot punish you, but is not required to pay you.
Can I be fired for serving jury duty?
No. Federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1875) makes it a crime for an employer to fire, threaten, or intimidate you for serving jury duty, and every state has its own job-protection law. If you face retaliation, document it and contact an employment attorney or your state labor agency.
Is jury duty pay taxable?
Yes. Juror stipends are generally taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return, even though the amounts are small. Some courts issue a 1099 if payments cross reporting thresholds; many do not, but the income is still reportable.
What if the pay does not cover my lost wages?
Ask the court about a financial hardship excuse or deferral. Most courts excuse jurors when service would cause genuine hardship, especially hourly workers, the self-employed, and sole-income households. Bring documentation such as pay stubs and bills showing the gap. Some courts also allow postponement to a better time.
Guides
- Do Employers Have to Pay You for Jury Duty? The 10 Jurisdictions That Say Yes
The 10 jurisdictions that require employers to pay wages during jury duty, with day limits and dollar amounts.
- Jury Duty Pays $50 a Day. A Lost Workday Can Cost $200.
The real math on the gap between juror stipends and a day's pay, plus hardship excuses and deferrals.