How much does federal jury duty pay?

Federal courts pay $50 per day for jury service, increasing to $60 per day after 10 days of service. Federal jurors also receive reimbursement for travel, parking, and meals.

Is jury duty pay taxable?

Yes, jury duty pay is considered taxable income. You must report it on your federal tax return. If you gave your jury pay to your employer (who continued your salary), you can deduct that amount.

Can I keep jury duty pay if my employer pays my salary?

It depends on your employer's policy. Some employers require you to sign over jury pay, while others let you keep it in addition to your salary. Check your employee handbook.

What if I can't afford to serve on jury duty?

Financial hardship may be grounds for excusal or deferral. Contact the court before your service date to explain your situation. Some courts offer hardship exceptions.

How Jury Duty Pay Works in the US - Complete Guide

Understanding Jury Duty Compensation

Serving on a jury is a civic duty, but it often comes with financial concerns. While the US protects your job during jury service, the compensation can be significantly less than your regular pay. Here's everything you need to know.

Federal Court Jury Pay

Federal courts follow a uniform pay structure across all 50 states:

$50 per day for the first 10 days of service
$60 per day for each day after 10 days (trials lasting longer)
Mileage reimbursement based on federal rates
Parking fees covered
Meals reimbursed during deliberation

State Court Jury Pay

State court jury pay varies dramatically. Some examples:

Highest Paying

Connecticut: $50/day
Colorado: $50/day
South Dakota: $50/day
Arkansas: $50/day

Moderate

New York: $40/day
Michigan: $25/day
Illinois: $25/day
Georgia: $25/day

Lowest Paying

New Jersey: $5/day
Texas: $6/day
Alabama: $10/day
Idaho: $10/day

When Employers Must Pay

Most states don't require employers to pay wages during jury duty, but several do:

Connecticut: Full wages for first 5 days
Massachusetts: Full wages for first 3 days
New York: $40/day for first 3 days (employers with 10+ employees)
Colorado: Regular wages for first 3 days (3+ employees)
Nebraska: Regular wages during jury duty
Tennessee: Usual compensation minus jury pay
Alabama: Regular pay (government employees)

How to Calculate Your Pay Impact

To understand how jury duty affects your finances:

Calculate your daily salary: Annual salary ÷ 260 work days
Compare to jury pay: Your daily salary vs jury duty rate
Check employer policy: Will they pay the difference?
Factor in expenses: Parking, meals, transportation

Tips for Managing Jury Duty Finances

Check your employee handbook - Many employers pay full salary even when not required
Request deferral if jury duty falls during a financially difficult time
Keep all receipts for travel, parking, and meals
Track your time for accurate compensation claims
Ask about extended service pay - Some courts increase pay for longer trials

Tax Implications

Jury duty pay is taxable income. However, if your employer paid your salary and required you to turn over jury pay:

Report the full jury pay as income
Deduct the amount you gave to your employer on Line 24a of Schedule 1
Keep documentation of the transfer

How Jury Duty Pay Works in the US

Jury Duty Pay at a Glance