Civic duty & your wallet
How jury duty pay works in 2026
Federal jury service pays $50 per day for the first ten days and $60 per day after that (28 U.S.C. 1871). State court jury fees are set by individual states and range from $5 per day in some jurisdictions to $50 or more in others. Neither rate comes close to what most workers earn at their jobs, which is why employer policy matters so much.
Three employer-pay scenarios
No employer pay: You receive only the court's jury fee. For a worker earning $250 a day, five days of service means $1,250 in normal income replaced by $250 in jury fees, a $1,000 loss. Full salary: Your employer continues your normal pay. The court fee is often turned over to the employer, or you keep it as a bonus. Difference pay: The employer pays the gap between your regular wage and the jury fee, so you end up at your normal income level.
| Daily wage | Jury fee | 5-day loss (no employer pay) | 10-day loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | $50 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $250 | $50 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| $400 | $50 | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| $600 | $50 | $2,750 | $5,500 |
Federal court rate $50/day for first 10 days. State rates vary. Employer-pay scenario = no pay.
Protections for employed jurors
Federal law (28 U.S.C. 1875) prohibits employers from firing or threatening employees for federal jury service. Most states extend similar protections to state court juries. Some states go further and require employers to pay wages for a set number of jury days. Check your state's statute and your company handbook.
Questions
Jury duty pay FAQ
How much does jury duty pay?
Federal courts pay $50 per day for the first 10 days and $60 per day thereafter (28 U.S.C. 1871). State courts vary widely, from as low as $5 per day in some states to $50 or more in others. Many states also reimburse mileage and parking. Check your court summons or your state judiciary website for exact local rates.
Does my employer have to pay me during jury duty?
Federal law does not require employers to pay wages during jury duty, though it does prohibit firing or punishing employees for serving. Some states mandate employer pay for a limited number of days, and many large employers voluntarily continue full or partial salary. Check your employee handbook or ask HR about your company's policy.
Is jury duty pay taxable?
Yes. Jury duty fees paid by the court are taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. If your employer pays your full salary and requires you to turn over the jury fee to the company, you can deduct the amount surrendered as an adjustment to income on your return.
How long does jury duty last?
Most jurors serve for one day or one trial. If you are selected for a trial, service can last from a few days to several weeks depending on the case. Grand jury service in federal court can last 18 months, though you typically report only a few days per month.
Can I lose my job for serving on a jury?
Federal law (28 U.S.C. 1875) prohibits employers from firing, threatening or coercing employees for serving on a federal jury. Most states have similar protections for state jury service. Violations can result in fines and contempt of court charges against the employer.
Do self-employed workers get compensated for jury duty?
Self-employed individuals receive only the court's daily jury fee. There is no employer to cover lost wages. You can deduct legitimate business expenses for the days lost, but there is no direct compensation for the income you would have earned. The jury fee itself is taxable income.
- Sources: 28 U.S.C. 1871 (federal jury pay $50/day first 10 days, $60 after) · 28 U.S.C. 1875 (employer retaliation prohibition) · Individual state judiciary jury fee schedules.
- 🔄 Last updated July 2026 · Tax year 2026
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