Jury duty pays, but the amount varies widely by state and court level

Most jurors receive some payment for their service, but the amount depends on where you live, which court is hearing the case, and how long the trial lasts. Some states pay nothing for the first few days. Others pay a flat fee per day. A handful of states and the federal system pay more as trials extend beyond a week or two. The payment is rarely enough to cover lost wages, and many employers do not make up the difference.

You will not know your exact payment until you show up for jury duty or contact the court directly. Court websites sometimes list the rate, but not always. If you need to know before your service date, call the jury office for the court listed on your summons — they can tell you the daily rate and whether payment starts on day one or day three.

Key Takeaways

  • Daily jury pay ranges from nothing to around $50 per day in most states, with a few paying more after the first week.
  • Many states do not pay jurors for the first one to three days of service, even if you are dismissed before trial begins.
  • Federal jury duty pays $50 on day one, $75 on days two through three, and $100 per day after that.
  • Payment is issued by check or direct deposit weeks or months after your service ends, not at the end of each day.
  • You cannot refuse jury duty to avoid lost wages, but you can ask the judge for a hardship postponement if the financial impact would be severe.

What state courts typically pay jurors

State court jury pay varies dramatically. Some states, including South Carolina and Mississippi, pay nothing for any day of service. Others, like California and New York, pay $15 to $40 per day depending on the length of service. A few states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, pay $50 or more per day after the first few days.

Most states follow a tiered system: no pay for days one through three, then a small daily rate ($10 to $25) for days four through ten, then a higher rate ($25 to $50) for weeks two and beyond. This structure assumes many cases settle or are dismissed early, so the state avoids paying for trials that never happen. If you are dismissed on day two, you often receive nothing.

The court listed on your summons will have this information posted online or available by phone. If the website does not show the rate, call the jury office and ask for the daily pay amount and when payment begins. Write it down — you will need to know this if you are trying to decide whether to request a postponement.

Federal jury duty pay

Federal courts pay more than most state courts, but the structure is still modest. Jurors receive $50 for day one, $75 for days two and three, and $100 per day from day four onward. This applies to all federal district courts and appeals courts.

Federal trials tend to be longer and more complex than state trials, so the higher pay reflects that reality. However, $100 per day is still far below what most people earn in their regular job. If you are summoned to federal court, you can find the exact payment terms on the court's website or by calling the jury office.

When you do not get paid

You will not receive payment if you are dismissed during jury selection (called voir dire) before the trial begins. In most states, this means no pay at all, even if you spent a full day in the courthouse. Some states pay a small fee for showing up, but this is rare.

You also will not be paid if you fail to show up for your summons or if you are excused before the trial starts. Excusal is different from dismissal during voir dire — excusal means the court lets you leave before jury selection even begins, usually because you requested a hardship postponement or the court has too many jurors. Again, no payment in most cases.

If you are selected for a trial and then the case settles or is dismissed before the jury renders a verdict, you are usually paid through the day the trial ends. The exact rule depends on your state, so ask the jury office if this situation applies to you.

How and when you receive payment

Jury payment is not handed to you at the end of the day. Instead, the court processes payment weeks or months after your service ends. Most courts issue payment by check mailed to your address, though some now offer direct deposit if you provide banking information when you check in for jury duty.

The delay happens because courts batch jury payments and process them in bulk. If your trial lasts two weeks, you might not see payment until four to eight weeks later. If you need the money sooner, you cannot speed up the process — you will have to wait for the court's payment cycle.

Keep your juror number and the case name or number. If you do not receive payment within two months of your service ending, contact the jury office with this information and ask them to track your payment. Courts occasionally lose records, and you may need to follow up.

Requesting a hardship postponement if jury duty creates financial strain

If jury duty would cause genuine financial hardship — for example, you are self-employed and have no income while serving, or you are the sole caregiver for a dependent — you can request a postponement. This does not excuse you from jury duty permanently; it moves your service to a later date when your situation may be different.

To request a postponement, respond to your summons in writing or by phone before your service date. Explain your specific situation and ask to be rescheduled. Courts receive many requests and grant some but not all. If you are granted a postponement, you will receive a new summons for a different date, usually several months later.

You cannot simply refuse jury duty because the pay is low or because you will lose money. Courts take non-compliance seriously and can fine you or hold you in contempt. A hardship postponement is your legal option if serving would create real financial difficulty.

Employer protections while on jury duty

Federal law prohibits employers from firing, threatening, or penalizing you for serving on a jury. However, this protection does not require your employer to pay you while you are away. Many employers do pay employees for jury duty, but they are not required to by law.

If your employer does not pay you and jury pay is minimal, you will lose income. This is one reason to consider requesting a postponement if the timing is particularly bad — for example, during a critical project or a slow season when you cannot afford unpaid time off. Some employers are more flexible about rescheduling jury duty than others, so it is worth asking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay taxes on jury duty pay?

Yes. Jury duty pay is taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. The court does not withhold taxes, so you are responsible for reporting it. For most people, the amount is small enough that it does not change their tax liability significantly, but technically it is income.

What if I am on a jury for a very long trial?

Long trials (weeks or months) are rare, but they do happen. Most states increase the daily rate after the first week or two. Federal courts pay $100 per day after day three, regardless of how long the trial lasts. You will still receive payment weeks after the trial ends, not daily.

Can I ask the judge to excuse me because jury pay is too low?

No. Low pay is not grounds for excusal. You can request a postponement if jury duty would create genuine financial hardship, but you must explain the specific hardship — not just that the pay is inadequate. The judge decides whether your reason is valid.

What if I am self-employed and lose income while on jury duty?

Self-employed people often face the biggest financial impact from jury duty because they do not receive a paycheck while serving and jury pay does not cover lost business income. You can request a postponement by explaining this situation to the court. If granted, you can serve at a time when you can better afford the lost income.

Do I get paid if the case is dismissed before trial starts?

Usually not. If you are dismissed during jury selection or excused before the trial begins, most states do not pay you. If the case is dismissed after the trial has started and the jury has been seated, you are typically paid through the day the trial ends. The exact rule varies by state, so ask the jury office.