How much does jury duty pay in Ohio? Thirty dollars a day, if you are in Erie County. Fifteen if you are in Butler County and never get seated. Five dollars for just showing up in Washington County. Ohio is one of the states with no statewide juror pay rate: under Ohio Revised Code Section 2313.22, each county's commissioners set the number. The result is a map where crossing a county line can triple your juror pay or cut it in half, for the same civic duty, in the same state.
How much does jury duty pay in Ohio, county by county
| County / court | Daily rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Erie County | $30, then $45 | $45 a day from the 11th consecutive day |
| Butler County | $15 / $30 | $15 if not seated, $30 if seated |
| Wayne County (municipal) | $10 / $30 | $10 for reporting and being excused, $30 if seated |
| Washington County | $5 / $10 | $5 for reporting, $10 a day if selected |
| Federal court (S.D. Ohio) | $50, then $60 | $60 a day after the 10th day, plus mileage and parking |
That Washington County line is worth sitting with. Five dollars for reporting, ten a day if selected. A tank of gas to the courthouse can cost more than the stipend. Nobody designed this to cover your costs. Juror pay was never meant to replace wages; it was meant to acknowledge the duty with something. Whether "something" should still mean $5 in 2026 is a question the counties answer with their budgets, and most of them answer it the same way every year: unchanged.
The two numbers that actually matter
The first is your employer's policy. Ohio law protects your job: an employer cannot fire you, lay you off, or deny you advancement for serving. What it cannot do is make your employer pay you. No Ohio statute requires wage continuation during jury service. So the real math for most people is not $30 versus $45. It is whether your employer covers the days. Many do, especially larger employers, and some require you to sign the court stipend over to them in return. Read your handbook before your service date, not after.
The second is federal versus state court. If your summons comes from a U.S. district court in Ohio instead of a county court, the pay jumps to $50 a day, with $60 after day 10, plus mileage and a parking reimbursement. A two-week federal trial pays roughly $500. A two-week county trial in Washington County pays roughly $100. Same duty, five times the money, decided entirely by which envelope arrived.
Is $30 a day fair?
I go back and forth on this. Thirty dollars is triple Pennsylvania's $9, which is something. It is also less than a day of lost wages for almost anyone who works for a living, which is the other thing. The duty is mandatory, the pay is symbolic, and the symbolism has not kept up with anything. I keep landing in the same place: the stipend was designed for a world where the courthouse was a short walk and the workday ended at 5. That world is gone and the stipend stayed. If your state ever asks, through a legislator or a survey, what juror pay should be, answer. Almost nobody does, and the silence is why the number never moves.
Run your own numbers: select your state and days served in the Jury Duty Pay Calculator, then read the related guides: Jury Duty Pay in Pennsylvania · Employer Jury Duty Pay Requirements · Jury Duty Pay vs Lost Wages · Is Jury Duty Pay Taxable · Do You Get Paid If Not Selected.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does jury duty pay in Ohio?
Ohio has no statewide jury pay rate; each county sets its own. Common rates run $10 to $30 a day, with several counties paying more after 10 days of service. Erie County pays $30 a day up to 10 days and $45 a day after. Federal jury duty in Ohio pays $50 a day, rising to $60 after 10 days.
Why does jury duty pay vary by county in Ohio?
Ohio law leaves juror compensation to the county commissioners under Ohio Revised Code Section 2313.22. Each county's board sets the daily rate within its budget, so rates reflect local funding rather than a state standard.
How much does federal jury duty pay in Ohio?
Federal jurors in Ohio receive $50 a day, plus round-trip mileage and a parking reimbursement. The rate rises to $60 a day after the 10th day of petit jury service. Payment arrives by mailed check after service ends.
Does my employer have to pay me for jury duty in Ohio?
No. Ohio law prohibits employers from firing, laying off, or penalizing employees for jury service, but it does not require employers to pay wages during service. Many employers pay anyway as a benefit; check your employee handbook.
What happens if I ignore a jury duty summons in Ohio?
Failing to appear without a lawful excuse can be treated as contempt of court, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, up to 3 days in jail, or both. If you cannot serve, request a postponement or excusal in writing before your service date.