Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
5 years or more
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers focus on resolving disputes and interpreting regulations in formal settings. This role centers on applying rules and making well-reasoned decisions, supported by strong problem solving, critical and analytical thinking, and detail orientation. Professionals in this career rely heavily on writing and reading skills, along with clear speaking and careful listening, to manage complex cases and communicate outcomes. Interpersonal abilities and customer service skills also matter, since work often involves interacting with diverse parties in sometimes sensitive situations. Creativity and innovation, combined with adaptability and comfort with computers and information technology, help professionals handle evolving procedures and documentation systems. With a national median salary of $115,230 and 18,000 people employed nationally, this career can be attractive for those prepared to meet the educational expectations and skill demands. Similar occupations to explore include arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators; judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates; loan interviewers and clerks; clinical and counseling psychologists; and insurance underwriters.
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers have a national median annual salary of $115,230, indicating strong earnings potential for qualified professionals. Pay varies by location. Among top states, median salaries range from $113,750 in Massachusetts to $133,460 in Maryland, showing a meaningful spread across regions. New York and Washington states are both above $120,000, at $123,170 and $122,390 respectively, while Colorado sits at $121,410. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro reports a median salary of $151,990, the highest among listed areas, followed by New York-Newark-Jersey City at $130,960 and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $130,270. Denver-Aurora-Centennial aligns with Colorado’s statewide median at $121,410, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton matches Massachusetts at $113,750. These figures suggest that location choices can significantly influence earning levels within this field.
Nationally, administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers account for 18,000 jobs. The projected employment growth for this occupation is -0.7%, indicating a slight expected decline over the projection period. Annual openings are reported as 0, which points to limited quantified information on new or replacement positions in the data provided. The negative growth rate suggests that the overall number of positions may trend downward slightly. This makes it especially important for interested candidates to pay attention to specific geographic markets and opportunity scores where the occupation may still present attractive conditions. Several states and metro areas show notable employment concentrations, such as New York state with 1,400 positions and the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro with 1,230 positions, as well as the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro with 660 positions. Individuals considering this career should weigh the relatively stable current employment base against the modest projected decline.
Location plays a major role in shaping opportunity for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers. Among states, Massachusetts and New York stand out with the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, at 65.87 and 65.78 respectively, combining solid salaries and notable employment levels (270 in Massachusetts and 1,400 in New York). Colorado, Washington, and Maryland also offer strong conditions, with opportunity scores between 52.88 and 56.97. Maryland pairs the highest listed state median salary of $133,460 with 430 employed professionals. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area leads with an opportunity score of 77.27, a median salary of $130,960, and 1,230 jobs, indicating a particularly significant cluster of roles. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro combines the highest listed metro median salary of $151,990 with 660 positions and a 64.47 opportunity score. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, and Denver-Aurora-Centennial also present notable opportunity scores and solid employment bases, giving candidates multiple geographic options to consider.
This occupation typically requires a doctoral or professional degree, indicating a substantial educational commitment before entering the field. The role draws heavily on advanced skills, particularly problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and strong writing and reading abilities. Speaking and listening skills are central for conducting and managing hearings, while interpersonal and customer service skills support effective interaction with participants and stakeholders. Being detail oriented is important for interpreting and applying rules and regulations accurately. Adaptability, along with creativity and innovation, helps professionals adjust to changing procedures or case types. Comfort with computers and information technology is also listed as a key skill, underscoring the importance of working effectively with digital documents, research tools, and case management systems. Individuals who pursue the necessary doctoral or professional education and intentionally develop this broad skill set are better positioned to succeed in administrative law judge, adjudicator, and hearing officer roles.
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