Jury pay is set by state law and varies widely — from nothing to around $50 per day, depending on where you live and how long you serve.

Most states pay jurors a small daily fee for showing up and serving, but the amount differs by state, by court level, and sometimes by how many days you have already served. Some states pay nothing for the first few days. Others cap payment at a flat amount per trial, regardless of length. A few states pay nothing at all. The payment is typically issued by the court after your service ends, either by check or direct deposit.

Jury duty is a civic obligation, not a job. The pay is meant to offset lost wages and transportation costs, not to compensate you fully for your time. If you work for a large employer, your company may be required by state law to keep paying you during jury service — but the court's payment and your employer's payment are separate things.

Key Takeaways

  • Daily jury pay ranges from $0 to around $50 per day depending on your state, with most states paying between $15 and $40.
  • Many states pay nothing for the first one to three days, then begin payment on day four or later.
  • Some states cap total jury pay per trial at a fixed amount, such as $300 or $500, even if you serve for weeks.
  • Payment is issued after service ends, usually by check or direct deposit to the address on file with the court.
  • Your employer may be required to pay you during jury service separately from what the court pays you.

How much states typically pay per day

State jury pay falls into rough bands. Many states in the middle range pay $15 to $25 per day for most jurors. Some northeastern and western states pay $30 to $50 per day. A handful of states pay $5 to $10 per day or nothing at all for the first few days. The variation reflects state budgets, cost of living, and how each state legislature has chosen to value jury service.

The payment you receive also depends on the court level. Federal courts, which handle cases involving federal law or disputes between states, often pay more than state courts. Federal jurors typically receive $50 per day for the first three days, then $35 per day after that. State courts vary widely — a state trial court might pay $20 per day while that same state's appellate court pays $30.

Some states increase payment for longer service. You might earn $15 per day for days one through five, then $25 per day from day six onward. Others use a flat rate regardless of duration. A few states tie payment to the juror's income level or employment status, paying more to self-employed people or those who lose wages.

When payment starts and how it is capped

Many states do not pay for the first day or first three days of jury service. This is sometimes called a "no-pay period." The idea is that most jury duty lasts only a few days, so the state avoids paying for short service. If you are dismissed during jury selection or after one day, you may receive nothing.

Once payment begins, some states cap the total amount per trial. For example, a state might pay $25 per day but limit total payment to $300 per trial, meaning a juror who serves 20 days receives $300, not $500. Other states have no cap and pay for every day served. A few states cap payment per year rather than per trial — you might earn up to $500 in jury pay per calendar year, and once you hit that limit, further service is unpaid.

Long trials and appeals can push against these caps. If you are selected for a trial expected to last six weeks, the court should tell you the payment structure upfront so you know whether you will be paid for the full duration or hit a cap partway through.

How jurors receive payment

Courts issue jury pay after your service ends, not during. You will not receive a check or deposit the day you are dismissed. The timeline varies by court — some process payment within two weeks, others take a month or longer. The court will mail a check to the address you provided during jury selection, or deposit the funds directly to a bank account if you enrolled in direct deposit.

If you do not receive payment within a reasonable time (usually four to six weeks), contact the court's jury office. Provide your juror number, the trial name or case number, and the dates you served. Courts sometimes lose paperwork or misfile addresses, and a follow-up call usually resolves the issue.

You are responsible for reporting jury pay as income on your tax return if the amount is substantial, though most states' jury pay is small enough that it falls below reporting thresholds. Check your state's tax rules or consult a tax professional if you are unsure.

Employer obligations during jury service

Many states require employers to continue paying employees during jury duty, at least for a set number of days. This is separate from the court's payment. If your employer is required to pay you and the court also pays you, you receive both. Some employees end up with nearly full wages during jury service because of this overlap.

Employer payment requirements vary by state. Some states require payment for the first five days only. Others require it for the full duration of service. Some states have no requirement at all — the employer can dock your pay or require you to use vacation time. A few states require employers to pay but allow them to deduct the court's jury payment from what they owe you.

If your employer threatens to fire you, cut your pay, or penalize you for jury service, that is illegal in most states. Document the threat and contact your state's labor board or attorney general's office. Retaliation for jury service is a serious violation.

Federal jury pay versus state jury pay

Federal courts pay more consistently than state courts because federal budgets are larger and more uniform. A federal juror receives $50 per day for the first three days of service, then $35 per day from day four onward. There is no cap per trial, so a juror on a month-long federal case receives payment for all 20 working days.

Federal jurors also receive a small travel allowance if they live more than a certain distance from the courthouse, typically around $0.19 per mile or a flat amount per day. State courts rarely offer travel allowances, though some reimburse parking or public transit costs if you ask.

If you are summoned to federal court, the summons will state the payment amount. If you are summoned to state court, contact the court's jury office or check your state court system's website to find the rate for your county or district.

What happens if you cannot afford to serve

If jury pay is too low to cover your lost wages — which is common for self-employed people, hourly workers, or those with tight budgets — you can request a postponement or hardship exemption. You must submit a written request to the court before your service date, explaining your financial situation. The judge decides whether to excuse you, postpone you to a later date, or require you to serve anyway.

Courts are not required to grant hardship requests, and standards vary. A judge might excuse a small business owner but require a salaried employee to serve. Some courts are more sympathetic to financial hardship than others. If you are denied and cannot serve, you risk being held in contempt of court, though courts rarely pursue this for first-time failures to appear.

If you are selected for a trial and later learn the expected duration will cause severe hardship, tell the judge during jury selection or at the start of trial. Judges sometimes excuse jurors at that point if the burden is genuine and the jury pool is large enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid if I am dismissed during jury selection?

It depends on your state and how far into jury selection you go. Some states pay for any day you appear at the courthouse, even if you are dismissed before the trial starts. Others pay only if you are sworn in as a juror. Check your summons or call the court's jury office before your service date to know what to expect.

Can I deduct jury pay as a loss on my taxes?

No. Jury pay is income, not a deductible loss. However, the amount is usually small enough that it does not affect your tax bracket or require separate reporting. If you earned more than a few hundred dollars in jury pay, consult a tax professional about whether you need to report it.

What if my employer says I cannot take time off for jury duty?

In most states, your employer cannot legally prevent you from serving on a jury or penalize you for doing so. If they threaten to fire you or cut your pay, that is retaliation and is illegal. Report it to your state's labor board or attorney general's office. Keep records of the threat and any written communication.

Do I have to report jury pay to unemployment or benefits programs?

Jury pay may count as income for unemployment benefits, SNAP, housing information, or other means-tested programs. The rules vary by program and state. If you receive benefits, contact your caseworker before accepting jury duty and ask how jury pay will affect your benefits. It is better to know upfront than to face a benefit reduction later.

How long does it take to receive jury pay after service ends?

Most courts process jury payment within two to four weeks of your service ending. Some take longer, especially if the trial was long or the court is backlogged. If you have not received payment after six weeks, contact the court's jury office with your juror number and service dates. Payment delays are usually due to paperwork errors that a phone call can fix.