It depends on the event. MTG judging isn’t a single employer with a single pay scale. But we do have some real, published numbers for big events, and some pretty consistent “typical” ranges for local stuff.
Typical MTG judge pay (realistic ranges)
Local store events (FNM / casual tournaments)
- Often: free entry + a few packs, or store credit
- Common ballpark: $0 to ~$50 cash or ~$40–$150 store credit for an evening
- Some stores talk in “hourly” terms like ~$10 store credit per hour
Prereleases (local store, but longer day)
- These can pay better because the shifts are longer and the event is chaotic.
- A common example you’ll see: ~$200 store credit for the day, plus meals, sometimes plus a free prerelease entry on another day.
RCQs (Regional Championship Qualifiers) / Competitive store events
- Head Judge: often around ~$200 for the day (cash or credit), depending on attendance and region.
- Floor judge pay varies a lot, but you’ll see numbers like $150 store credit for the day or $15–$19/hour (sometimes in store credit) in some reported examples.
MagicCon / big convention events (published rates)
These are the clearest numbers because staffing applications list them.
MagicCon “Ticketed Play” floor judge (example: MagicCon Las Vegas 2026):
- $250/day for Floor Judge
- Hotel stipend: $175 per day worked (paid out with compensation)
- Shift length: 9.5 hours, so the $250/day piece is about $26/hour before taxes (the stipend is meant to cover lodging, but it’s paid as cash).
Pro Tour judge rates at MagicCon (example: MagicCon Las Vegas 2026):
- Floor Judge: $375/day
- Scorekeeper: $400/day
- Appeal Judge: $475/day
- Head Judge: $550/day
- Pro Tour staff can also have travel covered (for that event, the application notes flights for Pro Tour staff).
Quick table (cheat sheet)
| Event type | What you’ll usually see | Rough pay range |
|---|---|---|
| FNM / weekly LGS | free entry, packs, store credit, sometimes small cash | $0–$50 cash or ~$40–$150 store credit |
| Prerelease weekend | bigger credit + meals | often ~$150–$250 store credit/day |
| RCQ (competitive) | usually a set “day rate,” often higher for Head Judge | Head Judge often around ~$200/day |
| MagicCon (Ticketed Play) | published day rates + hotel stipend | $250/day + $175/day hotel stipend (example) |
| Pro Tour (MagicCon) | published higher day rates | $375–$550/day depending on role |
Two important “gotchas”
- Taxes: Big events often treat judges/staff as contractors. You’re usually responsible for your own taxes and paperwork.
- Travel costs: A “$250/day” weekend can turn into “not much” if you’re paying flights and hotels yourself. That’s why stipends/travel assistance matter.
