Calculate your net pay during jury duty service. Compare regular wages against court stipends and determine the financial impact of jury service days.
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. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process.
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. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions.
Daily Gap = Regular Daily Pay − Court Stipend Total Income (employer pays full) = Regular Pay × Service Days Total Income (employer pays differential) = (Regular Pay − Court Stipend) × Days + Court Stipend × Days Total Income (no employer pay) = Court Stipend × Service Days Wage Loss = (Regular Pay − Actual Daily Income) × Service Days
Result: $2,000 total income, $0 wage loss
With employer paying the differential: ($250 − $50) × 8 = $1,600 from employer + $50 × 8 = $400 from court = $2,000 total. This matches regular pay of $250 × 8 = $2,000, so there's no wage loss.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.