The United States Supreme Court, the highest judicial body in the country, is composed of nine justices who serve lifetime appointments. This role demonstrates immense trust and responsibility as they interpret the Constitution and federal laws, significantly impacting the nation's legal landscape. Their decisions often have far-reaching implications on various aspects of American life.
As of 2026, the salary of a Supreme Court Justice has risen to $306,600 per year, with the Chief Justice, John Roberts, earning $320,700.
And here's a really fun perk: As a lifetime appointment, if a justice meets certain age and service requirements (known as the "Rule of 80"), they can retire and continue to receive their full former salary for life.
Unfortunately, these numbers don't show the full picture. Federal ethics laws only require justices to disclose assets that may pose a conflict of interest, and they report these in broad ranges rather than exact figures. However, based on the latest 2025 filings, here is how the net worth ranges of the nine justices stack up:
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The Supreme Court Justices Ranked By Net Worth:
#1: John Roberts: $13 – $36 million
Chief Justice John Roberts remains the wealthiest member of the Court. His latest disclosures show investment holdings that have grown to a range of $13 million to $36 million. His wealth is anchored in a diverse portfolio of mutual funds and stocks, including shares in companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific. Roberts also co-owns a cottage in Ireland, though the bulk of his wealth comes from his high-level legal career prior to the bench.
#2: Neil Gorsuch: $4 – $12 million
Appointed by President Donald Trump in 2017, Neil Gorsuch's ascent to the Supreme Court followed an impressive legal career. His estimated net worth of $4 to $12 million may be attributed to his career in the legal field, investments, and writings. Before becoming a Federal judge in 2005, Gorsuch earned at least $1 million per year in salary in private practice for a number of years.
#3: Samuel Alito: $3 – $7.5 million
Justice Alito's wealth is largely tied to a massive, complex investment portfolio that includes dozens of individual stocks (approximately 27–28 different companies). Because of these holdings, he frequently leads the court in recusals to avoid conflicts of interest.
#4: Amy Coney Barrett: $1.7 – $5 million
Nominated by President Donald Trump, Amy Coney Barrett became an Associate Justice in 2020. Her estimated net worth, ranging from $1.7 to $5 million, comes from her legal career and academic positions. Like several of the other justices, Amy has earned significant income from book royalties. For instance, she earned $425,000 in book royalties in 2021.
#5: Elena Kagan: $2 – $5 million
Justice Kagan's wealth has seen steady growth, now estimated between $2.3 million and $4.9 million. Her portfolio is primarily made up of retirement funds and index funds, reflecting her long career in academia (as Dean of Harvard Law) and government service as Solicitor General.
#6: Sonia Sotomayor: $1.5 – $6.5 million
Appointed by President Barack Obama, Sonia Sotomayor became a Justice in 2009. Her net worth, estimated at $1.5 to $6.5 million, reflects her judicial salary and possible earnings from legal writings.
#7: Clarence Thomas: $1.2 – $2.7 million
Justice Thomas's reported assets range from $1.2 million to $2.7 million. While his filing for 2024 listed no new gifts or non-investment income, his wealth has been a point of public discussion due to historical disclosures of travel and tuition assistance from private donors. His reported assets are primarily held in real estate and retirement accounts.
#8: Ketanji Brown Jackson: $2.2 – $3.5 million
Appointed by President Joe Biden, Ketanji Brown Jackson joined the Supreme Court in 2022. Her first disclosure showed an estimated net worth of $150,000 to $650,000. That number has since gone up thanks largely to a $2 million book advance for what became 2024's "Lovely One."
#9: Brett Kavanaugh: $100k – $265k
Justice Kavanaugh remains the "least wealthy" member of the Court in terms of reported assets, with a range of $100,000 to $265,000. Having spent almost his entire career in public service, he has not accumulated the massive private-sector portfolios seen by his peers. However, like Barrett and Gorsuch, he supplements his income through teaching, earning over $31,000 at Notre Dame last year.
Read more: How Rich Are The Supreme Court Justices?
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