Most employers are not required by federal law to pay you for jury duty
The federal government does not mandate that private employers pay your salary while you serve on a jury. Whether you get paid depends entirely on your employer's policy, your state's law, and sometimes your employment contract. Some employers pay full salary, some pay partial salary, some pay nothing, and some require you to use vacation or sick days to cover the lost income.
Federal employees and employees of some state and local governments may have different protections. If you work for the federal government, you are may have access to to paid jury duty for up to 45 days per year. State and local rules vary widely — some states require employers to pay, others forbid retaliation but do not require payment, and a few have no protections at all.
The court will pay you a small amount — typically $15 to $50 per day depending on your state and how long you serve — but this rarely covers your actual lost wages. You need to know your employer's specific policy before you report for jury duty, because the difference between paid and unpaid service can mean hundreds of dollars out of your pocket.
Key Takeaways
- Federal law does not require private employers to pay you during jury duty, though many do as a matter of company policy.
- Your state law may require payment, forbid employer retaliation, or offer no protection — check your state's statute before assuming you will lose pay.
- Federal employees are paid for up to 45 days of jury duty per year; state and local government employees have varying protections.
- The court pays a small daily fee (usually $15 to $50) that does not cover most people's actual wages, so your employer's policy is what matters financially.
- You should ask your employer or HR department directly about their jury duty pay policy before you are summoned, not after.
What federal law says about employer payment
The federal government has no law requiring private employers to pay employees for jury duty. This is a gap that surprises many people — jury duty is a civic obligation, but the law does not treat it as a reason to protect your paycheck. The only federal requirement is that employers cannot fire, threaten, or punish you for responding to a jury summons or serving on a jury. Retaliation is illegal, but non-payment is not.
Federal employees are an exception. If you work for a federal agency, you receive your regular salary while serving on a jury for up to 45 days in a calendar year. After 45 days, you are on your own. This protection applies to full-time and part-time federal employees, but not to contractors or temporary workers hired through staffing agencies.
Some employers voluntarily pay employees during jury duty as a benefit, even though they are not required to. This is most common at large corporations, government contractors, and employers in states with strong jury duty protections. Small businesses and employers in states with minimal protections are less likely to have a paid jury duty policy.
State laws that require or restrict jury duty pay
About a dozen states have laws that require employers to pay employees for at least some jury duty. These states include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and a few others — the list changes as states update their laws. If you live in one of these states, your employer must pay you, though the number of paid days may be limited (often 3 to 5 days, sometimes more).
Many more states forbid employer retaliation but do not require payment. This means your employer cannot fire you or cut your hours because you served, but they also do not have to pay you. You keep your job, but you lose your wages. This is the middle ground in most states.
A few states have no specific jury duty protections at all. In these places, an employer can legally retaliate against you for jury service, though this is rare in practice because it exposes the employer to lawsuits and public backlash. Even without a state law, many employers in these states still pay out of policy or fear of litigation.
You can find your state's jury duty law by searching "[your state] jury duty pay" or by calling your state bar association. The court that summoned you may also provide this information in the summons packet or on its website.
State and local government employees
If you work for a state or local government — as a teacher, police officer, clerk, or in any other role — your jury duty pay depends on your state and employer. Some states pay all government employees for jury duty. Others pay only certain categories, such as teachers but not administrative staff. A few states leave it to each agency or municipality to decide.
The safest approach is to ask your HR department or supervisor directly. They will know whether your agency pays and for how many days. Do not assume that working for the government means you are paid — some government employers treat jury duty the same way private employers do.
How much the court pays you
Every state court system pays jurors a small daily fee, but the amount varies. Most states pay between $15 and $50 per day for the first few days, then reduce the amount for longer service. A few states pay nothing for the first day, then a small amount after that. Some states increase the daily rate if you serve for more than a week or two.
This court payment is separate from any payment your employer provides. If your employer pays your full salary and the court also pays you, you keep both. If your employer does not pay you, the court payment is all you receive. In either case, the court payment is rarely enough to cover your actual lost wages, especially if you work full-time.
You receive the court payment by check or direct deposit, usually a few weeks after your service ends. The court will tell you how and when to expect payment when you report for duty.
What to do if your employer does not have a written policy
If you cannot find a written jury duty policy at your workplace, ask your HR department or manager directly. Phrase it as a factual question: "Does the company pay employees during jury duty, and if so, for how many days?" Get the answer in writing if possible — an email confirmation or a copy of the policy — so you have documentation if there is a dispute later.
If your employer says they do not pay for jury duty, ask whether you can use vacation or sick days to cover the time. Some employers allow this even if they do not pay directly. If neither option is available and your state requires payment, mention that to your employer — they may not realize they are breaking state law.
If you are concerned about retaliation after jury service, document everything: the dates you served, any conversations with your employer about it, and any changes to your schedule, pay, or job duties afterward. Keep copies of your summons and any court documents. If your employer does retaliate, you may have grounds for a lawsuit, and documentation will help prove your case.
Self-employed people and gig workers
If you are self-employed or work as a gig worker (driving for a rideshare company, freelancing, running your own business), you have no employer to pay you during jury duty. You lose income directly. The court payment is your only compensation, and it will not cover your lost earnings.
You can ask the court to excuse you from jury duty if serving would cause severe financial hardship. Courts have discretion to grant this request, especially for self-employed people with no other income source. Bring documentation of your income and expenses to support your request. Some courts will excuse you; others will ask you to serve anyway and accept the financial loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer fire me for serving on a jury?
No. Federal law prohibits employers from firing, threatening, or retaliating against you for responding to a jury summons or serving on a jury. This applies to all private employers. If your employer fires you or punishes you for jury service, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Some states offer additional protections, such as the right to reinstatement or damages.
What if I lose a lot of money by serving on a jury?
You can request to be excused from jury duty by explaining the financial hardship to the court. Bring documentation of your income and explain why serving would cause severe hardship. Courts have discretion to excuse you, though they may deny the request if they believe you can manage the loss. Self-employed people and those with no other income source are more likely to be excused.
Do I have to tell my employer I was summoned for jury duty?
Yes. You must respond to the summons, and your employer will likely find out anyway because you will need time off. It is better to tell them early so they can plan coverage. Ignoring a summons can result in fines or contempt of court charges, which is far worse than the temporary inconvenience to your employer.
If my employer pays me for jury duty, do I also get the court payment?
Yes. The court payment is separate from any payment your employer provides. You keep both. However, some employers may require you to turn over the court payment to them, so check your company policy or ask HR.
How do I find out my state's jury duty pay law?
Search "[your state] jury duty pay" online, or call your state bar association or the court that summoned you. The summons packet often includes information about state law. You can also ask your HR department — they should know the law in your state.