Jury duty pay varies by court and state, and most jurors earn between $15 and $50 per day

The amount you receive for jury duty depends on which court summons you, not on a federal standard. Federal courts typically pay $50 per day for the first three days, then $35 per day after that. State courts vary widely — some pay as little as $15 per day, while others pay $50 or more. A few states and counties pay nothing at all for the first few days of service.

Payment usually arrives by check or direct deposit after your service ends, though the timeline differs by court. Some courts mail payment within two weeks; others take a month or longer. You will not receive payment while you are sitting in the jury box — it comes after you are dismissed.

Length of service matters more than the daily rate. A one-day trial pays less than a month-long case, even if the daily rate is identical. If you are dismissed during jury selection (called voir dire), you may receive only one day's pay or nothing, depending on your court's rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal courts pay $50 per day for the first three days of service, then $35 per day; state courts range from $0 to $50 or more per day depending on location.
  • Payment arrives after your service ends, usually by check or direct deposit within two to four weeks.
  • If you are dismissed during jury selection, you may receive only partial payment or no payment at all.
  • Some employers are required by law to pay you your regular salary while you serve, which may be more than the court pays.
  • Long trials pay more total than short ones because you receive the daily rate for each day you sit on the jury.

How federal courts calculate jury pay

The federal court system uses a fixed schedule set by Congress. Jurors receive $50 per day for days one through three of service. Starting on day four, the rate drops to $35 per day for the remainder of the trial. This applies in all federal district courts across the United States.

If your trial lasts two weeks, you would receive $50 for three days (total $150) plus $35 for nine days (total $315), equaling $465 before taxes. If you are dismissed on day two, you receive $100. The court does not pay you for time spent waiting in the jury assembly room before being called to a courtroom, only for time spent in actual jury selection or trial.

Federal courts typically mail checks within 30 days of dismissal. Some courts now offer direct deposit, which arrives faster — usually within two weeks. You can ask the jury coordinator which payment method your court uses when you receive your summons.

State and local court pay rates vary significantly

State courts set their own jury pay, which means the amount you receive depends on which state and county you live in. California pays $15 per day for the first five days, then $25 per day after that. Texas pays $6 per day for the first three days, then $40 per day. New York pays $15 per day for the first three days, then $30 per day. These rates change periodically, so the amount you receive may differ from what you received in a previous jury service.

Some counties within a state pay more than the state minimum. Cook County, Illinois, for example, pays $50 per day, while other Illinois counties pay $20 per day. Check your specific court's website or the summons you received to find the rate for your location.

A handful of states — including South Dakota and some counties in other states — pay jurors nothing for the first one to three days of service. After that threshold, they begin paying the standard daily rate. This means a short trial in those locations may result in no payment at all.

When your employer must pay you instead

Some states and employers have laws requiring employers to pay your regular salary while you serve on a jury. This is separate from court-paid jury duty pay. If your employer is required to pay you, you may receive your full paycheck from them and also receive the court's jury pay — though some employers deduct the court payment from what they owe you.

Federal employees are paid their regular salary by the federal government while serving on federal juries. They do not receive the additional $50 or $35 per day from the court. State employees in some states receive similar protection, though the rules vary by state.

Private employers are not required to pay you in most states, but some do as a matter of company policy. Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department whether your employer pays during jury duty. If they do, that payment usually exceeds what the court pays, making it more valuable than the court's daily rate.

What happens if you are dismissed during jury selection

Jury selection, called voir dire, can last anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the case. If you are dismissed during this phase — meaning the judge or attorneys decided you should not serve on this particular jury — you may receive partial payment or no payment at all.

Federal courts typically pay you for the day you were dismissed, even if you were released at noon. State courts vary: some pay for any portion of a day you appear, while others pay only if you serve a full day. A few courts pay nothing if you are dismissed before the trial actually begins.

The summons you receive or the court's website should state the policy for your specific court. If it does not, call the jury coordinator before your service date and ask what you will be paid if dismissed during voir dire.

Taxes and deductions from jury pay

Jury duty pay is taxable income. The court does not withhold taxes from your payment, so you are responsible for reporting it on your tax return. If you receive $600 or more in jury pay during a calendar year, the court will send you a Form 1099-MISC, which you must include when you file taxes.

Some people deduct jury duty pay as a miscellaneous expense on their tax return, though the rules for this deduction change year to year. Consult a tax professional about whether you can deduct any portion of your jury pay based on your specific situation and the current tax code.

If you received payment from both your employer and the court, you report both amounts. Your employer's payment appears on your W-2; the court's payment appears on the 1099-MISC. The total is what you owe taxes on, unless your employer deducted the court payment from your salary.

How to receive payment after your service ends

Payment timing depends on your court's processing system. Federal courts typically mail checks within 30 days; some courts with direct deposit systems process payment within two weeks. State courts vary from two weeks to six weeks or longer.

You do not need to do anything to receive payment — the court processes it automatically once you are dismissed. If you provided direct deposit information during jury check-in, the payment goes to your bank account. Otherwise, the court mails a check to the address on your summons.

If you do not receive payment within the timeframe your court stated, contact the jury office. Bring your juror number (printed on your summons) and the date you were dismissed. The jury coordinator can check whether payment was processed and resend it if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid if I am dismissed before the trial starts?

It depends on your court. Federal courts pay you for any day you appear, even if dismissed during voir dire. Many state courts do the same, but some pay nothing if you are released before the trial begins. Check your court's website or call the jury office before your service date to learn the specific rule.

What if my trial lasts several weeks?

You receive the daily rate for each day you sit on the jury. A four-week federal trial pays $50 per day for three days, then $35 per day for the remaining 17 days, totaling $745 before taxes. State court totals depend on your state's daily rate and how many days you actually serve.

Can I negotiate jury pay with the court?

No. Jury pay is set by law and does not change based on individual circumstances. The court cannot pay you more or less than the rate established by your state or the federal government. If financial hardship makes jury service difficult, you can request postponement to a later date when your situation improves.

Do I report jury pay on my taxes?

Yes. Jury pay is taxable income. If you receive $600 or more in a calendar year, the court sends you a Form 1099-MISC. You report this on your tax return. Payments under $600 are still taxable but may not require a 1099.

What if I never receive my jury pay check?

Contact your court's jury office with your juror number and dismissal date. They can verify whether payment was processed and resend it if the check was lost. If payment was never issued, they can investigate why and arrange for you to receive it.