Most jurors receive little or no pay, and the amount varies by court and state

Jury duty pay depends on which court summons you and how long you serve. Federal courts typically pay more than state courts. Some courts pay nothing for the first few days, then a small amount after that. A few states and counties pay nothing at all. The payment you receive — if any — comes from the court system, not from your employer, though some employers choose to pay you anyway while you're away.

The amount is usually between $15 and $50 per day, though some federal courts pay up to $60 or more. If your case lasts weeks or months, the daily rate may increase after a certain number of days served. You will not get rich from jury duty pay, and it almost never covers what you lose by missing work.

Key Takeaways

  • Federal courts typically pay $50 per day for the first three days, then $60 per day after that, though some courts vary slightly.
  • State and local courts often pay $15 to $40 per day, with many paying nothing for the first one to three days of service.
  • Your employer is not required by federal law to pay you during jury duty, though some do anyway.
  • A few states prohibit employers from firing you for jury service, but most do not protect your job or your paycheck.
  • You can request to be excused from jury duty if the financial hardship would be severe, though courts rarely grant this request.

What federal courts pay

The federal court system pays jurors through the U.S. District Courts. The standard rate is $50 per day for the first three days of service, then $60 per day from day four onward. This applies to jurors in criminal and civil cases in federal court.

If you are selected for a longer trial, the per-day amount does not increase further — it stays at $60 per day for as long as you serve. Federal courts also reimburse parking and mileage if you drive to court, though the mileage rate is set by federal rules and changes yearly. You receive a check from the court after your service ends, not during it.

What state and local courts pay

State court pay varies widely because each state sets its own rules. Some states pay $15 per day, others pay $40 or $50. Many state courts pay nothing for the first one to three days, then begin paying on day four or day five. A handful of states — including South Dakota and Wyoming — pay jurors nothing at all.

County courts within the same state may also differ. A county court in one part of your state might pay $25 per day while a county court 50 miles away pays $40. The jury summons you receive will state what that specific court pays. If you are unsure, call the court clerk's office listed on your summons and ask directly.

Whether your employer has to pay you

Federal law does not require employers to pay you during jury duty. Your employer can deduct the time from your paycheck, require you to use vacation days, or straightforward not pay you. Many employers do pay anyway — especially larger companies with human resources departments — but they are not legally required to.

A few states have passed laws protecting jurors from losing pay. Connecticut, Illinois, and a handful of others require employers to pay employees for a limited number of jury duty days per year. Check your state's laws or ask your employer's HR department what their policy is. If your employer does pay you, you may be required to turn over the court's jury check to them.

Requesting to be excused for financial hardship

If jury duty would cause severe financial hardship — for example, you are self-employed and have no income while serving, or you are the sole earner for your household — you can request to be excused. You typically do this by writing a letter to the court before your service date or by speaking to the judge on the day you report.

Courts rarely grant these requests. Judges hear hardship claims from many jurors and must balance them against the need to seat a jury. Your request is more likely to succeed if you can show that you would lose your job, face eviction, or be unable to pay for essential care. straightforward losing a day's wages is not usually considered enough hardship to be excused.

How jury duty pay is taxed

Jury duty pay is taxable income. The court does not withhold taxes from your check, so you are responsible for reporting it on your tax return. The amount is usually small enough that it does not change your tax bracket, but it still counts as income.

If you received a large jury duty payment — for example, from serving on a long federal trial — you may want to set aside a small amount when you receive the check. You will report the total on your tax return the following year. The court will not send you a 1099 form for jury duty pay, so you will need to add it yourself when you file.

What happens if you do not show up for jury duty

If you ignore a jury summons, the court can hold you in contempt. This can result in a fine (typically $100 to $1,000, depending on the court) or a jail sentence of a few days. Some courts send a second notice before taking action, but you should not count on that. If you cannot attend, contact the court listed on your summons and explain why.

If you have a legitimate reason — a medical emergency, a death in the family, a pre-planned surgery — the court will usually postpone your service to a later date rather than fine you. If you straightforward forgot or did not want to go, the court is less forgiving.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

It depends on when you are dismissed. If you are sent home during jury selection (called voir dire), most courts pay you for that day. If you are dismissed before you even enter the courtroom, some courts pay you and some do not. Call the court clerk to ask what their practice is.

Can I deduct jury duty expenses on my taxes?

No. Jury duty pay is income, and you cannot deduct the expenses you incurred getting to court or parking. However, if you are self-employed and lose business income while serving, you may be able to deduct that loss as a business expense — consult a tax professional about your specific situation.

What if I have to take unpaid time off work for jury duty?

The small amount the court pays (usually $15 to $60 per day) will not cover your lost wages. Some employers pay you anyway; others do not. A few states require employers to pay for a limited number of jury duty days per year. Check your state's law or ask your HR department what your company's policy is.

Does jury duty pay count toward unemployment benefits?

Jury duty pay does not count as wages for unemployment purposes, so it will not reduce your unemployment check. However, if you are working part-time and jury duty prevents you from working those hours, you may need to report the missed work to your unemployment office depending on your state's rules.

Will I get paid if the trial is postponed or cancelled?

If you report to court and the trial is postponed or cancelled after you arrive, you are usually paid for that day. If the court cancels before you report, you typically are not paid. The court will notify you if this happens.