Yes, jurors do get paid, though not much. Federal jurors receive $50 per day of attendance, with a possible bump to $60 per day after extended service. State courts set their own rates, and the spread is wide: some pay only $5 or $6 a day, others more than the federal rate. Since most trials wrap in three to four days, a typical stint pays under $200 before taxes.
Federal Juror Pay
Federal law sets the daily attendance fee at $50, plus pay for travel time to and from the courthouse at the start and end of service.1Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 USC 1871 – Fees The rate is the same for petit jurors, who sit on individual trials, and grand jurors, who review evidence and decide whether to issue indictments.
A judge can raise the daily rate by up to $10, bringing it to $60. For petit jurors, that increase is available after 10 days on a single case. For grand jurors, it kicks in after 45 days of actual service.2United States Courts. Juror Pay Grand jury terms can run 18 months or longer, so the higher rate matters more there than it might sound.
State Court Juror Pay
State legislatures set their own rates, and the variation is dramatic. A handful of states pay single digits per day. Others have recently pushed rates above $50. Some use a tiered system, with the daily rate rising after a set number of days to account for longer trials. Because these rates change often and differ so widely, the most reliable source for what your state pays is the summons itself or the local court clerk’s office.
How Long You’ll Actually Serve
Most federal trials last only three to four days.3United States Courts. Jury Service – What to Expect When Answering the Call Many people summoned are dismissed during selection on the first day and never sit on a trial at all. For a short case, total pay runs roughly $50 to $200.
Grand jury service is the exception. Federal grand juries can meet for months, usually one or two days a week over an extended term. The daily rate is still $50, but the cumulative total adds up, and the $60 rate after 45 days helps offset the longer commitment.
Travel and Expense Reimbursement
On top of the attendance fee, federal courts reimburse jurors for reasonable transportation costs and, in some courts, parking fees. If the trial requires an overnight stay because of distance or sequestration, the court covers lodging and provides a meal allowance.2United States Courts. Juror Pay
Mileage reimbursement for driving your own car follows the federal rate set by the General Services Administration. As of January 2026, that rate is $0.725 per mile.4General Services Administration. Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Mileage Reimbursement Rates You’ll fill out a form from the court clerk’s office to claim these amounts, and keeping your parking receipts is a good idea. State courts set their own reimbursement rules, so check your summons for the specifics.
Will Your Employer Keep Paying You
Job protection and paid leave are two different things. Federal law makes it illegal for an employer to fire, threaten, or retaliate against a permanent employee for serving on a federal jury. Violations can bring liability for lost wages, a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation, a reinstatement order, and potentially mandatory community service for the employer.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 US Code 1875 – Protection of Jurors Employment Most states have parallel protections for state court service.
Paid wages are a different question. The Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers to pay wages for jury duty.6U.S. Department of Labor. Jury Duty Whether you keep getting your paycheck depends on your state’s law and your company’s policy. A small number of states require some form of paid jury duty leave; most leave it to the employer.
Many employers voluntarily pay full or partial wages during jury service. When they do, they often require the employee to turn over the court stipend. That arrangement is legal and essentially means the employer absorbs the cost rather than letting the employee collect twice.
Salaried Exempt Employees
If you’re classified as an exempt salaried employee, your employer cannot dock your pay for jury duty absences. Federal regulations specifically prohibit salary deductions for time missed due to jury service. Your employer can, however, offset the jury fees you receive against your salary for that week.7eCFR. 29 CFR 541.602 – Salary Basis So if you earned $50 in jury fees that week, your employer could reduce your paycheck by $50 and still maintain your exempt status.
Taxes on Jury Pay
The IRS treats jury pay as taxable income. You report it on Schedule 1 of Form 1040, line 8h.8Internal Revenue Service. Form 1040 Schedule 1 – Additional Income and Adjustments to Income If the court pays you $600 or more in a calendar year, expect a Form 1099-MISC. Even if the amount is under $600 and no form arrives, the income is still reportable.
If your employer paid your regular salary and required you to hand over the jury stipend, you still report the jury pay on line 8h. You then claim a matching deduction on line 24a of the same Schedule 1, which cancels out the tax on that money.8Internal Revenue Service. Form 1040 Schedule 1 – Additional Income and Adjustments to Income Keep a record of the amount you turned over.
Expense reimbursements for mileage, parking, and meals are not taxable. They cover costs you incurred, not time, and don’t need to appear on your return.
If You Can’t Afford to Serve
If serving would cause genuine financial hardship or extreme inconvenience, you can ask the court for a temporary deferral or a full excusal. Federal judges grant these at their discretion, and each federal district court maintains its own policies on what qualifies.9United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses Common grounds include serious medical conditions, dependent care obligations that can’t be rearranged, and significant financial hardship, especially for self-employed people or hourly workers without paid jury leave.
A deferral doesn’t get you off the hook permanently; it moves your service to a more workable date. If you need one, contact the court listed on your summons as early as possible. Waiting until the day you’re supposed to appear reduces your chances of getting the schedule adjusted.
Penalties for Skipping
Ignoring a federal jury summons can lead to a fine of up to $1,000, up to three days in jail, community service, or some combination of those.10Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 28 US Code 1866 – Selection and Summoning of Jury Panels In practice, the process is less dramatic than scam callers suggest. A no-show juror typically gets follow-up contact by mail or email from the clerk’s office first, and may be ordered to appear before a judge to explain.11United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Scam Alert – Do Not Pay Callers Who Threaten to Arrest You or Claim To Be Affiliated With the Court Any fine is imposed only after the person has appeared in court.
Phone calls claiming you have a warrant for missing jury duty and demanding immediate payment are always scams. Federal courts do not handle jury matters by phone. A legitimate order to appear arrives in writing and is signed by a judge.