How juror pay works: daily fees, mileage and employer pay

What federal and state courts pay jurors, when payment starts, how travel reimbursement works, and how juror fees interact with your paycheck.

By the Jury Duty Help editorial team · Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · How we research

Juror pay is a modest daily fee set by law. It's meant to offset some of the cost of serving, not to replace a salary. How much you get depends on which court summoned you, how many days you serve, and sometimes on whether your employer keeps paying you. This guide explains the pieces using official figures and shows how to estimate your own total.

The three parts of juror pay

Most juror compensation has up to three components:

A daily attendance fee for each day you report.
Travel reimbursement, such as mileage, transit or parking, in courts that offer it.
Allowances for meals and lodging in limited cases, such as when you must stay overnight.

Federal courts

The U.S. Courts publish the federal rates:

Trial (petit) jurors: $50 a day. After 10 days of service, they're eligible for up to $60 a day if the presiding judge orders it.
Grand jurors: $50 a day, with eligibility for up to $60 a day after 45 days of service.
Travel: reimbursement for reasonable transportation expenses and, in some courts, parking fees.
Overnight stays: subsistence allowances for meals and lodging if you have to stay overnight.
Federal employees receive their regular salary instead of the fee.

Example: a federal trial juror who serves 3 days earns $150 in fees plus allowable travel. One who serves 12 days on a long trial, where the judge has ordered the higher rate, could earn $50 × 10 + $60 × 2 = $620 in fees.

State courts: two examples

State legislatures set their own rates, and they vary a great deal. Here are two, checked against the statutes.

California (Code of Civil Procedure § 215)

$15 a day for each day's attendance after the first day. The first day is unpaid.
Mileage at 34 cents a mile for each mile actually traveled to and from court, also after the first day.
Jurors employed by a public entity who keep receiving regular pay and benefits don't receive the fee.

Florida (Florida Statutes § 40.24)

Days 1-3: no court fee if you're regularly employed and your employer keeps paying your regular wages. If you're not regularly employed, or you don't keep getting wages, you receive $15 a day.
Day 4 onward: $30 a day for everyone.
No additional reimbursement from the clerk for travel or other out-of-pocket expenses.
The statute states the policy outright: to prevent juror service from imposing financial hardship.

Other states fall anywhere from token amounts to rates closer to the federal $50. Virginia's answer book says jurors are paid an amount set by the state legislature for each day they must report. Check your state's figure with our juror pay calculator.

When and how you're paid

Courts usually pay after your service ends, by check or direct deposit, often within a few weeks. A few things to know:

Days you're told not to come in usually don't count. Florida's statute says juror service doesn't include days when you were notified in advance that you weren't needed. Other states work similarly.
Some courts let you donate or decline your fee, for example to a victim services fund or a court program. That's a choice, never a requirement.
Keep your attendance records. You may need them for your employer, and they help if a payment goes missing.

How juror pay interacts with your paycheck

Employer pay is separate from the court fee.

Federal law doesn't require employers to pay you during jury service. The U.S. Courts say an employer may continue your salary for all or part of your service but isn't required to. Federal law does forbid firing, intimidating or coercing a permanent employee because of federal jury service.
Some states require some paid jury leave from certain employers for a limited number of days, and others don't. Check your state's rules and your employee handbook.
Some employers ask you to turn over the court fee if they keep paying your full salary. The IRS has a specific rule for this. See is jury duty pay taxable?.

Our jury duty and your job guide covers your rights in detail.

If you're self-employed or paid hourly

A daily fee of $15 to $50 rarely replaces lost income for freelancers, gig workers or hourly employees without paid leave. Courts recognize financial hardship as a reason to postpone, and sometimes to excuse. Ask for a date during a slower season and explain the effect on your income. Our self-employed jurors guide has a step-by-step plan.

Budgeting for jury service

Plan for these possible costs:

Parking and transit, which may or may not be reimbursed.
Lunch. Courthouse food options vary, and you may have little time to go out.
Childcare or dependent care, which courts generally don't reimburse. Some courts provide on-site care, so ask.
Lost wages, if your employer doesn't pay for jury days.

Frequently asked questions

Is the first day paid? In federal court, yes. Some states, including California, don't pay the daily fee for the first day.

Do I get paid if I'm sent home before noon? Usually yes, if you reported. Courts typically pay per day of attendance, not per hour.

Can I refuse the fee? Many courts allow you to waive or donate it. Contact the jury office.

Is juror pay taxable? Yes. It's reported as income. See our tax guide.

Key takeaways

Federal jurors receive $50 a day, rising to as much as $60 after 10 days (trial jurors, if the judge orders it) or 45 days (grand jurors).
State rates vary widely. California pays $15 a day from day 2, and Florida pays $15 or $0 for days 1-3 and $30 from day 4.
Employers aren't required by federal law to pay you, but they can't punish you for serving.
Keep attendance records and receipts for reimbursement and taxes.