Federal jurors are paid $50 a day1 plus round-trip mileage2. On a long trial the judge may add up to $10 a day3. Federal law does not require your employer to keep paying you4.
$50
a day for each day you attend, set by federal statute1.
When the daily fee can rise
Maximum daily fee
Travel and other expenses
| Expense | What federal law provides |
|---|---|
| Mileage | Round trip, at a rate set for court staff, however you travel2. The Southern District of New York lists 76 cents a mile6. |
| Tolls | Paid in full7 |
| Parking | Reasonable fees may be paid, at the court's discretion, with a receipt7 |
| Public transit | When mileage does not cover a short trip, the actual fare may be paid at the court's discretion8 |
| Overnight stays | A subsistence allowance when you must stay overnight9 |
Federal employees
Federal employees keep their regular salary instead of receiving the attendance fee10.
How payment arrives
In New York's two federal districts, payment comes by check. The Eastern District of New York mails one check within six to eight weeks11; the Southern District mails a check to your home6.
What to do next
- Keep receipts for parking and tolls; districts may ask for them7.
- Check your district's juror pages for its payment schedule: uscourts.gov jury service
Related
Federal jury dutyHow federal service works.Federal jury duty and your employerJob protection, not pay.
Sources
12 official sources, with the exact sentence each rule comes from
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(b)(1)."(1) A juror shall be paid an attendance fee of $50 per day for actual attendance at the place of trial or hearing. A juror shall also be paid the attendance fee for the time necessarily occupied in going to and returning from such place at the beginning and end of such service or at any time during such service."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(c)(1)."(1) A travel allowance not to exceed the maximum rate per mile that the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts has prescribed pursuant to section 604(a)(7) of this title for payment to supporting court personnel in travel status using privately owned automobiles shall be paid to each juror, regardless of the mode of transportation actually employed. The prescribed rate shall be paid for the distance necessarily traveled to and from a juror’s residence by the shortest practical route in going to and returning from the place of service."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(b)(2)."(2) A petit juror required to attend more than ten days in hearing one case may be paid, in the discretion of the trial judge, an additional fee, not exceeding $10 more than the attendance fee, for each day in excess of ten days on which he is required to hear such case."
- Juror Pay | United States Courts. uscourts.gov (28 U.S.C. § 1875)."Your employer may continue your salary during all or part of your jury service, but federal law does not require an employer to do so. You should check whether your company or employer has a policy for employees serving on jury duty."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(b)(3)."(3) A grand juror required to attend more than forty-five days of actual service may be paid, in the discretion of the district judge in charge of the particular grand jury, an additional fee, not exceeding $10 more than the attendance fee, for each day in excess of forty-five days of actual service."
- Jury Duty Frequently Asked Questions | U.S District Court (SDNY). SDNY Jury Duty FAQ."The U.S. District Court will pay each juror an attendance fee of $50 per day plus a travel fee of .76¢ per mile, paid round trip, to the juror’s hometown. The payment will be in the form of a check and mailed to the home address."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(c)(3)."(3) Toll charges for toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries shall be paid in full to the juror incurring such charges. In the discretion of the court, reasonable parking fees may be paid to the juror incurring such fees upon presentation of a valid parking receipt."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(f)."(f) A juror who must necessarily use public transportation in traveling to and from court, the full cost of which is not met by the transportation expenses allowable under subsection (c) of this section on account of the short distance traveled in miles, may be paid, in the discretion of the court, the actual reasonable expense of such public transportation, pursuant to the methods of payment provided by this section."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1871 - Fees (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1871(d)(2), (e)."(2) A subsistence allowance shall be paid to a juror when an overnight stay is required at the place of holding court, and for the time necessarily spent in traveling to and from the place of attendance if an overnight stay is required."
- Juror Pay | United States Courts. uscourts.gov; 5 U.S.C. § 6322(a)."Note: Employees of the federal government are paid their regular salary in lieu of this fee."
- Juror Information | US Courts - New York Eastern District. EDNY Juror Information."As of May 7, 2018, paid at the rate of $50.00 each day that you report, plus mileage, parking and tolls. ... Public transportation costs will also be reimbursed in full. One check covering all fees will be mailed to your home within 6 to 8 weeks after service is completed."
- 28 U.S. Code § 1875 - Protection of jurors' employment (LII). 28 U.S.C. § 1875(a)."(a) No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee by reason of such employee’s jury service, or the attendance or scheduled attendance in connection with such service, in any court of the United States."
Reviewed by Roger K. Neustadt, JD, attorney admitted in Georgia. Verified November 10, 2026.
Roger K. Neustadt is admitted in Georgia; pages about other states and federal courts are general information checked against official sources. How we check every rule: editorial policy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Jury Duty Explained is not affiliated with any court. Your summons and your court's instructions control, so check them first.