How Much Do You Get Paid for Jury Duty in Texas?
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Texas Bar verified. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) are the co-founding partners of L and L Law Group, PLLC — based at 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101 in Frisco, Texas (Collin County), with many 5-star Google reviews, and available 24/7 for criminal defense consultations.
Table of Contents
Texas state minimum
Texas Government Code §61.001:
- $6.00 first day. Reporting day minimum
- $40.00 per day. Each subsequent day if selected and serving
- Counties can pay more. Local supplements common
- Cannot pay less. Statutory minimum
- Mileage reimbursement sometimes. County discretion
- Parking reimbursement sometimes. Particularly major cities
County-by-county rates
| County | First Day | Subsequent Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris (Houston) | $6 | $40-$60 | Subsequent days higher recent years |
| Dallas | $6-$10 | $40-$50 | Periodic increases |
| Tarrant (Fort Worth) | $6 | $40-$50 | Standard rates |
| Bexar (San Antonio) | $10 | $40-$50 | Slight first-day premium |
| Travis (Austin) | $10-$20 | $40-$58 | Higher rates |
| Collin (Frisco/Plano) | $6 | $40 | State minimum |
| Denton | $6 | $40 | State minimum |
| El Paso | $10 | $40 | Slight premium |
Rates change; verify with specific county.
Federal court rates
- $50 per day. Federal jurors
- $60 per day after 30 days. Long trials
- Travel reimbursement. Mileage
- Subsistence allowance. When travel substantial
- Parking reimbursement
- Federal employees continue regular pay
- Higher than Texas state court rates
Employer pay during jury duty
- Texas doesn't require employer pay. Unlike some states
- Many employers do pay. Voluntary benefit
- Sometimes require turnover of jury pay. When continuing regular pay
- Federal employees protected separately
- Cannot be fired for jury service. Texas Labor Code §122.001
- Damages for wrongful termination
- Some employers cap days paid
- Verify employer policy in advance
Total typical compensation
Example calculations:
- One-day reporting, not selected. $6-$20 typical
- Short 3-day trial. $6-$20 first day + $80-$120 subsequent = $86-$140 total
- Week-long trial (5 days). $6-$20 first day + $160-$240 subsequent = $166-$260 total
- Two-week trial. $6-$20 + $360-$540 = $366-$560 total
- Month-long trial. $806-$1,140 typical state
- Compare to federal rates. Substantially higher for longer trials
Have a Texas legal question?
Call L and L Law Group for a free, confidential consultation. We handle criminal defense across Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties.
Call (972) 370-5060In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Texas jury duty pay?
Texas Government Code §61.001 minimums: $6 first day, $40 per subsequent day. Many counties pay more — Bexar $10 first day, Travis $10-$20 first day with $58 subsequent. Federal court: $50 per day; $60 after 30 days.
Is Texas jury duty pay enough to live on?
Generally no — $40/day is well below minimum wage equivalent for full-day commitment. Texas doesn't require employer pay during service. Many employees rely on employer continuation of salary as benefit. Self-employed face significant financial impact.
Does the federal court pay more for jury duty?
Yes — federal rates ($50/day; $60 after 30 days) substantially higher than Texas state ($6 first day, $40 subsequent). Federal also pays travel and subsistence. Federal employees continue regular pay during service.
Are mileage and parking reimbursed for Texas jury duty?
Sometimes — varies by county. Some counties reimburse mileage and parking; others don't. Major metros (Houston, Dallas) sometimes have parking reimbursement. Smaller counties variable. Check with specific county.
Do I have to declare Texas jury duty pay on taxes?
Yes — taxable income federal (Texas has no state income tax). Receive 1099-MISC or similar. Report on federal tax return. Deductible if required to turn over to employer who continued full salary. Generally modest tax impact given small amounts.
