Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Career, Salary and Skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $117,860 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 16,370. Wage data is published for 108 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
23-1021.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$117,860
Hourly median
$56.67
Employment
16,370
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.50 | 5.00 |
| Active Listening | 4.50 | 5.75 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.50 | 5.25 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.25 | 4.88 |
| Writing | 4.25 | 5.12 |
| Speaking | 4.12 | 5.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Active Learning | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Monitoring | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology
- Microsoft Word
- Adobe Acrobat
- Courtroom scheduling software
- Email software
- LexisNexis
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Online databases
- SAP software
- Thomson Reuters Westlaw
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in NYMedian $123,170 · Employment 1,400
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in TXMedian $100,400 · Employment 1,300
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in New York, NYMedian $130,960 · Employment 1,230
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in PAMedian $98,010 · Employment 800
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in OHMedian $79,000 · Employment 690
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $151,990 · Employment 660
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in FLMedian $115,920 · Employment 570
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in ILMedian $104,990 · Employment 550
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in GAMedian $67,990 · Employment 490
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in ORMedian $89,220 · Employment 480
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in MDMedian $133,460 · Employment 430
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in Houston, TXMedian $124,400 · Employment 420
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- CoronersNational median $80,730
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersNational median $72,420
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- Compliance OfficersNational median $80,730
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsNational median $55,570
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.