Do You Get Paid for Jury Duty?

By Reid - January 4, 2022

Do you get paid for jury duty?

Jury duty can be a very touchy subject. Some people love participating in the legal process, and others hate it with a deep passion. I can tell you personally it's not for me.

Jury duty can be a major inconvenience, especially if it interferes with your work schedule. So, if you're getting pulled away from your job, it's natural to wonder if you'll get paid for your time there.

Do you get paid for jury duty?

Don't worry, if you're selected for jury duty, you will be getting paid, but the amount and when you receive payment may differ based on where you live.

Sometimes your employer has to pay you for the time you miss from work, but other times it's the court system that takes care of it. Just make sure to check the laws and regulations in your area for all the specifics on payment for jury duty.

How Are You Paid for Jury Duty?

The court system is the primary way you get paid for jury duty. This is the case for all fifty states, but the amount you are paid can vary dramatically based on where you live (which state).

You will be compensated based on your state’s jury duty laws for any time you spend in court. This means that if you show up to the courthouse and spend three hours waiting just to be weeded out and sent home, you will receive some compensation for the time you spent at the courthouse.

If you are chosen for jury duty, you will also be compensated every day you participate in the relevant case.

Unfortunately, this compensation usually isn’t a handsome amount. It’s considered a small payment for serving your community, and it will likely not match the wages you’d receive from working a regular job for the same amount of time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Employers Have to Pay for Jury Duty?

Whenever jury duty comes up, a big topic for those in the labor force is whether or not their employers have to pay for their time spent away from work as part of a jury.

Unfortunately, your employer does not have to pay you for that time. This can be problematic, considering how low most states pay for jury duty.

However, your employer does have to give you the time you need to fulfill your jury duty obligations. If that means a day off to see if you get chosen, they must give you that day off without repercussions.

If that means you need three weeks off to deal with a particularly complex case, then they must afford you that time.

Typically, this time is separate from the accrued time off you earn through your regular job agreement, but different states have slightly different laws.

Can you put jury duty on your resume?

Yes, you can technically put that you have served jury duty on your resume, but we don't recommend it.

You typically want to match the skills and experiences in your resume with the potential job you are applying for. There aren't many takeaways that relate to the position, which you could pick up during jury duty - that's why we recommend keeping it off.

Related:

Wrapping Up | Do You Get Paid for Jury Duty

No matter where you call home, you'll receive payment for serving on a jury, and your employer has to grant you time off. While there may be some differences from state to state, the bottom line is that you'll get paid and won't be out of that missed time at your job.

Doing a little research on your state laws can also pay off, as there might be some unexpected benefits that can help minimize any financial hardship or loss of accrued time off. So, it's worth taking a closer look at what your state has to say on the matter.

Good luck with your jury duty service!

Title: Do You Get Paid For Jury Duty?

Category: Career Resources

Tags: do you get paid for jury duty, jury duty compensation, how much will I make from jury duty, jury duty interview questions, do you get paid for jury duty if you are not selected

Co-Author: Reid is a contributor for theJub. He's an employment and marketing enthusiast who studied business before taking on various recruiting, management, and marketing roles. More from the author. | Author Profile