Jury Duty Pay Calculator

About the Jury Duty Pay Calculator

Jury duty is a civic obligation, but it can have a significant financial impact. Federal and state courts pay small daily stipends (often $40–$60 per day), which rarely match your regular wages. Some employers pay full salary during jury service while others pay the difference between your regular pay and the court stipend.

This calculator helps you understand the financial impact of jury duty by comparing your regular daily pay to the court stipend. It calculates your net income during jury service, any employer top-up, and the total wage impact over the expected number of service days.

Knowing these numbers in advance helps you prepare financially, whether jury duty lasts a few days or extends into weeks for a long trial.

When This Page Helps

The financial surprise of jury duty catches many workers off guard. Some employers pay nothing beyond what the law requires, while others provide full pay. This calculator quantifies the gap so you can plan accordingly and understand your employer's obligation.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter your regular daily pay (hourly rate × 8 or salary ÷ 260).
2. Enter the court's daily stipend for jurors.
3. Indicate whether your employer pays full wages, the differential, or nothing.
4. Enter the expected number of jury service days.
5. Review your total income and any wage gap during service.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• Check your state law — some states require employers to continue pay for a certain number of jury duty days.
• Federal employees receive full pay during jury duty but must turn over court stipends.
• Keep the court summons and proof of attendance for your employer and tax records.
• Some states increase the daily stipend after the first few days of service.
• If your employer doesn't pay jury duty wages, you may qualify for hardship exemption from service.
• Mileage and parking reimbursement from the court is separate from the daily stipend.

Understanding Jury Duty Pay

Jury duty pay operates on two tracks: what the court pays and what your employer pays. The court stipend is a modest per diem meant to offset basic expenses, not replace wages. Employer compensation varies from full salary continuation to nothing beyond legal minimums.

State Law Variations

Some states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Alabama require employers to pay regular wages for at least the first few days of jury service. Others merely prohibit retaliation. Always check your state's specific labor code for jury duty pay requirements.

Planning for Extended Service

If you're selected for a lengthy trial, the financial impact can be significant. Contact the court clerk about hardship exemptions if service would cause undue financial burden. Many courts grant deferrals or exemptions for demonstrated hardship.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do employers have to pay during jury duty?

  There is no federal law requiring private employers to pay wages during jury duty. However, many states require employers to continue pay for some or all jury service days. Some only prohibit employers from penalizing employees for serving.

• How much does jury duty pay?

  Federal court pays $50/day (increasing to $60 after 10 days). State court stipends range from $5 to $50+ per day depending on the state and county. Some jurisdictions pay nothing for the first day.

• Can I be fired for jury duty?

  Federal law and most state laws prohibit employers from terminating, threatening, or retaliating against employees for jury service. Violations can result in fines and contempt of court charges for the employer.

• Do I have to give the court stipend to my employer?

  Some employer policies and government positions require you to remit the court stipend to your employer in exchange for full salary continuation. Check your employee handbook or jury duty policy.

• Is jury duty pay taxable?

  Yes. Court stipends for jury service are taxable income and should be reported on your tax return. If you remit the stipend to your employer, you can deduct that amount. Your employer's jury duty pay is regular taxable wages.

• How long does jury duty usually last?

  Most jury service lasts 1–5 days. Grand jury service can last months. If selected for a trial, the length depends on the case — from a single day to several weeks for complex cases.