Most employers must pay you for jury duty, but the amount varies by state and employer size
Jury duty pay comes from two sources: the court and your employer. The court pays a small daily fee — usually between $15 and $50 per day, depending on your state and how long you serve. Your employer may be required to pay you your regular wages on top of that, or they may not be required to pay anything at all. The rules depend on where you live, how many employees your company has, and how long the trial lasts.
You do not have a choice about serving jury duty if you are summoned, but you do have a right to know what you will be paid. Understanding the payment structure ahead of time helps you plan your finances and know what to expect when the trial ends.
Key Takeaways
- The court pays a small daily fee for jury service, typically $15 to $50 per day depending on your state.
- Many states require employers with 50 or more employees to pay your regular wages during jury duty, but smaller employers often do not have to.
- You receive court pay regardless of employer size, but employer pay depends on state law and your company's policies.
- The judge or court clerk can tell you the exact daily rate and payment schedule for your case before jury selection begins.
- Some states allow you to request a hardship exemption if jury pay would cause serious financial harm, though approval is not may provide.
What the court pays you for jury duty
The court pays you directly for each day you serve, and this payment is separate from anything your employer might pay. The amount varies by state — some states pay as little as $15 per day, while others pay $40 to $50. A few states pay nothing for the first few days, then increase the rate after one week or two weeks of service.
You typically receive this payment by check or direct deposit after the trial ends, though some courts mail it weeks later. The court clerk can tell you the exact rate for your county and when you should expect payment. If you serve on a jury that lasts several weeks, the court payment alone can add up to several hundred dollars, but it is rarely enough to replace a full paycheck.
When your employer must pay you during jury duty
Many states have laws requiring employers to pay employees their regular wages while they serve on a jury. However, these laws almost always apply only to employers with a certain minimum number of employees — usually 50 or more. If your company has fewer than 50 employees, your state likely does not require them to pay you, even though the court will.
Some larger employers choose to pay employees during jury duty even when not required by law, as part of their benefits package. Check your employee handbook or ask your HR department what your company's policy is. If your employer does pay, you will typically receive your normal paycheck while also collecting the court's daily fee.
A few states have no employer-pay requirement at all, meaning only the court's small daily fee applies. California, New York, and Illinois are among the states that do require employer payment for companies above a certain size, but the threshold and duration of payment vary. Your state's court website or jury information packet will explain the rule where you live.
How long you are paid and when payment arrives
Court payment covers every day you are required to appear, including jury selection (called voir dire), the trial itself, and jury deliberations. If you are dismissed during jury selection, you still receive payment for that day. If you serve for two weeks, you receive 10 business days of court pay.
Employer payment, when required, also covers the full duration of service. Some employers stop paying after a certain number of days — for example, California requires employers to pay for the first five days of jury duty, but not beyond that. Check your state's law or ask your employer what their obligation is if the trial runs long.
Payment timing varies. The court usually mails your check or processes direct deposit within two to four weeks after the trial ends. Some courts are slower. If you do not receive payment within six weeks, contact the court clerk's office with your juror number and trial dates.
Hardship requests and exemptions from jury duty
If jury duty would cause serious financial hardship — for example, you are self-employed with no income during service, or you are the sole caregiver for a dependent — you can request to be excused. You must submit this request in writing before your jury date, usually by returning the summons with a letter explaining your situation.
The judge decides whether to grant the request. Hardship is not automatically accepted; the court weighs your circumstances against the need for jurors. Being low-income, having childcare costs, or losing self-employment income are common reasons courts consider, but approval depends on the judge and your specific facts.
If you are granted a hardship exemption, you are excused from that particular jury duty. Some courts will reschedule you for a later date when your situation may have changed. Others may excuse you permanently or for a set period. The summons or court website will explain the process for your county.
Self-employed and gig workers during jury duty
If you are self-employed or work as a contractor, you receive only the court's daily fee — no employer is required to pay you because you have no employer. This means your income stops while you serve, and the court payment ($15 to $50 per day) rarely covers your lost earnings.
This is one of the most common reasons courts grant hardship exemptions. If jury duty would force you to close your business or turn away clients for weeks, you have grounds to request excusal. Document your lost income and explain why you cannot afford the time away. Some courts are more sympathetic to self-employed hardship claims than others, but it is worth requesting if the financial impact would be severe.
Gig workers — those who drive for rideshare services, deliver food, or work other on-demand jobs — are in a similar position. You do not have an employer to pay you, so only court pay applies. If you can show that missing work days significantly reduces your income, you may have a case for hardship exemption.
Taxes and jury duty pay
Court-paid jury duty fees are taxable income. You will not receive a 1099 form unless you earn more than $600 in a single year from jury duty (which is rare), but you are still required to report it on your tax return. Keep the check or payment confirmation as documentation.
Employer-paid wages during jury duty are treated as regular income and are subject to the same tax withholding as your normal paycheck. You do not owe additional taxes on top of what your employer already withholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer fire me or punish me for serving jury duty?
No. Federal law and most state laws prohibit employers from firing, threatening, or retaliating against employees for jury service. If your employer punishes you for serving, you may have grounds for a legal claim. Document any retaliation and contact your state's labor board or an employment attorney.
What if I do not show up for jury duty?
Ignoring a jury summons can result in fines, contempt of court charges, or even jail time, depending on your state. If you cannot attend, contact the court in advance and explain why. The judge may reschedule you or excuse you. Ignoring the summons without permission is much more serious than requesting a postponement.
Do I have to pay taxes on jury duty pay?
Yes, court-paid jury fees are taxable income and should be reported on your tax return. Employer-paid wages are taxed as normal income through payroll withholding. Keep documentation of all jury payments for your records.
How much will I actually make if I serve on a long trial?
It depends on your state, your employer's size, and your employer's policy. If your employer is required to pay and does, you receive your full salary plus the court's daily fee. If your employer is not required to pay, you receive only the court fee — typically $15 to $50 per day. For a two-week trial, that could be $150 to $500 from the court alone, but far less than your normal income if you are not paid by your employer.
Can I request to be paid more or paid earlier?
No. The court sets the daily rate by state law, and you cannot negotiate it. Payment timing is also set by the court's procedures. If you have a genuine financial emergency, you can ask the court clerk if early payment is possible, but this is rarely granted. Your best option is to request a hardship exemption before your jury date if the financial impact would be severe.