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.
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
SOC: 23-1021 O*NET: 23-1021.00
Median Salary
$117,860
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$61,110
10th percentile
Early Career
$81,140
25th percentile
Median
$117,860
50th percentile
Experienced
$159,680
75th percentile
Top Earners
$207,480
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$61,110
25th
$81,140
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$117,860
Mean: $125,990
75th
$159,680
90th
$207,480
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $146,370 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $81,140 and $159,680
- •Salary spread is 66.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 16,370 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:17,400
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:0%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)17,400
Current
2035 (Projected)17,400
0%
0
Employment Change
0%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 41 locations
New York
1,400 jobs$123,1701.37x
Texas
1,300 jobs$100,4000.88x
Pennsylvania
800 jobs$98,0101.26x
Ohio
690 jobs$79,0001.19x
Florida
570 jobs$115,9200.55x
Illinois
550 jobs$104,9900.85x
Georgia
490 jobs$67,9900.96x
Oregon
480 jobs$89,2202.34x
Maryland
430 jobs$133,4601.49x
Michigan
390 jobs$127,4200.84x
Tennessee
380 jobs$107,7401.09x
Arkansas
340 jobs$63,6602.46x
New Jersey
330 jobs$128,3200.74x
Washington
330 jobs$122,3900.89x
District of Columbia
300 jobs$181,0603.99x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Law and Government
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
100%
#3
Written Comprehension
100%
#4
Reading Comprehension
94%
#5
Inductive Reasoning
92%
#6
English Language
88%
#7
Active Listening
86%
#8
Oral Comprehension
82%
#9
Writing
80%
#10
Customer and Personal Service
76%
Skills Overview
Law and Government
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Written Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Inductive Reasoning
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.4
88%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Law and Government
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Inductive Reasoning
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Written Expression
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Urologists100%
5 shared skills
Audiologists100%
5 shared skills
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators100%
5 shared skills
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists100%
5 shared skills
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates100%
5 shared skills
Neurologists100%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Law and Government
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Administrative
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Law and Government
- ✓English Language
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Law and Government
- ★English Language
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (10)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Prepare written opinions and decisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Confer with individuals or organizations involved in cases to obtain relevant information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers professionals typically have a CEI Holland code and highly value achievement
CConventional
EEnterprising
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.86
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.74
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.74
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.61
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.9
Self-Control
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.7
Independence
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Concern for Others
4.2
Achievement/Effort
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
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