Federal Jury Duty Pay
Federal jury duty is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1821, which sets a uniform nationwide attendance fee of $50.00 per day (increasing to $60/day after 10 days of petit jury service or 45 days of grand jury service). Unlike state jury systems — which can vary wildly from $5/day (Mississippi) to $72/day (New York) — federal juror pay is the same whether you serve in Manhattan, Kansas or Manhattan, New York.
How Federal Jury Pay Works
Attendance Fee
You receive $50.00 for each day you physically attend court, including the first day you report for jury selection (voir dire). After 10 days of petit jury service (or 45 days of grand jury service), the rate increases to $60.00 per day.
Mileage Reimbursement
Federal jurors are reimbursed at the GSA private vehicle rate — currently $0.70 per mile (effective January 2025) — for the round-trip distance between your home and the courthouse. If you use public transit, the court will reimburse your actual fare at the most economical rate.
Tolls and Parking
Tolls are reimbursed in full. Parking costs are reimbursed with a receipt. This can be significant — federal courthouse parking in major cities can exceed $20/day, and the court covers it all.
Subsistence (Overnight Stay)
If the federal courthouse is too far from your home to reasonably commute daily, you may qualify for a subsistence allowance. This covers lodging and meals up to the GSA per diem rate for the area — up to $234 per day in high-cost cities. This is most common for jurors in rural districts where the federal courthouse may be 100+ miles away.
Employer Protections for Federal Jurors
Under the Jury System Improvements Act (28 U.S.C. § 1875), employers cannot fire, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee summoned for federal jury service. However, federal law does not require employers to pay your regular wages during federal jury service — that's governed by state law or your employment contract. Check your state's rules using our calculator above.
Federal Grand Jury Service
Federal grand juries are different from trial (petit) juries. Grand jurors typically serve 12–18 months, meeting once a week or once a month. The $50/day rate applies to each day of attendance (increasing to $60/day after 45 days of grand jury service), and mileage is reimbursed for each trip. For someone serving on a grand jury for 18 months (meeting weekly), total compensation including mileage could reach $6,000–$10,000 depending on travel distance.
Grand jury service is a significant commitment. Federal courts are generally accommodating of schedule conflicts, but the duration of service is fixed by the court's term. If you're summoned for federal grand jury duty, discuss the schedule with your employer early.
How Federal Jury Pay Compares to States
At $50/day (increasing to $60/day after 10 days), federal jury pay is well above the national average for state courts (~$23/day) and matches top-tier states like Massachusetts ($50/day) and Colorado ($50/day). Only New York ($72/day) pays significantly more. The key advantage of federal jury service is the uniformity and reliability — the mileage reimbursement is generous, tolls and parking are covered, and the subsistence allowance for distant jurors is unmatched by most state systems.
Use our Compare Tool to see how federal jury pay stacks up against your state.
Statute: 28 U.S.C. § 1821(b) — Official source (uscourts.gov)
Data last updated: 2026-05-28. This is not legal advice. Verify with official sources before relying on this information. Federal jury pay rates are set by statute and may change with new legislation.