How much does jury duty pay in Virginia? Fifty dollars a day. That is the whole answer for state court, and it has the virtue of being simple: Virginia Code 17.1-618 sets a flat $50 per day of attendance for every juror in a civil or criminal case, anywhere in the state. The statute frames it as an allowance for travel and other necessary costs, which is a polite way of saying it is not a wage and was never meant to replace one.
Fifty dollars is $50. If you make $25 an hour, one day of jury duty costs you $150 in lost wages after the stipend. Multiply by a week-long trial and you are out $750. That gap is why the rest of Virginia's jury rules matter more than the pay itself.
How much does jury duty pay in Virginia: the protections around the $50
Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or take any adverse action against you for serving, and cannot force you to burn sick leave or vacation time. That is Virginia Code 18.2-465.1, and violating it is a Class 3 misdemeanor. There is also a shift-protection rule most people miss: if your jury service runs four or more hours in a day, travel time included, your employer cannot make you start a shift that begins at or after 5 p.m. that day, or before 3 a.m. the next morning.
What the law does not do is make your employer pay your wages while you serve. Some employers do, as a policy, covering the difference between your salary and the $50. Many do not. Check your handbook before your service date, not after. And one more number: you can be summoned at most once every three years, so the disruption, when it comes, comes with a long cooldown.
Practical checklist, in order: tell your employer as soon as the summons arrives, ask HR in writing whether jury leave is paid, bring the summons and something to read, and keep your parking receipts. The $50 counts as taxable income, by the way. The court does not withhold on it. Small thing. Easy to forget, and annoying in April.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Virginia pay jurors?
$50 per day of attendance, statewide, under Virginia Code 17.1-618. The statute frames it as an allowance for travel and other necessary costs, not a wage.
Does my employer have to pay me during jury duty in Virginia?
No. Virginia requires job protection, not wage replacement. Some employers pay the difference between your salary and the $50 as a matter of policy; many do not. Check your handbook before your service date.
Can I be fired for jury duty in Virginia?
No. Penalizing an employee for jury service is a Class 3 misdemeanor under Virginia Code 18.2-465.1. Employers also cannot force you to use sick leave or vacation.
How often can I be summoned for jury duty in Virginia?
No more than once every three years.
Run the numbers for your situation.
The Jury Duty Pay Calculator estimates your court pay by state, including daily rates, mileage, and employer rules.