Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

SOC code 23-1021 · O*NET-SOC 23-1021.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Legal and protective services

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$117,860

a year

Hourly

$56.67

per hour

10th$61,110Median$117,86090th$207,480

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$125,990

$60.57 per hour

Middle 50%

$81,140 – $159,680

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$61,110 – $207,480

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

16,370

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $61,110; $29.38/hr
25th percentile: $81,140; $39.01/hr
Median percentile: $117,860; $56.67/hr
75th percentile: $159,680; $76.77/hr
90th percentile: $207,480; $99.75/hr

What do administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers do?

Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
Prepare written opinions and decisions.
Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.
Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 37% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

See all zone 5 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Doctoral Degree37%
Bachelor's Degree20%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.14%
Some College Courses11%

Common questions

How much does an administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earn?

The national median is $117,860 a year. The full range runs from $61,110 at the 10th percentile to $207,480 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension4.5/5
Active Listening4.5/5
Critical Thinking4.5/5
Writing4.3/5
Speaking4.1/5
Active Learning4.0/5
Monitoring3.9/5

Knowledge areas

English Language4.9/5
Law and Government4.9/5
Administrative3.3/5
Computers and Electronics2.7/5
Customer and Personal Service2.6/5

Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving.