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
$115,230
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.7%
Slower (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
$56,970
10th percentile
Early Career
$76,920
25th percentile
Median
$115,230
50th percentile
Experienced
$161,290
75th percentile
Top Earners
$203,990
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$56,970
25th
$76,920
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$115,230
Mean: $122,620
75th
$161,290
90th
$203,990
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $147,020 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $76,920 and $161,290
- •Salary spread is 73.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 16,230 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:17,500
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.7%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)17,500
Current
2034 (Projected)17,400
-0.7%
-100
Employment Change
-0.7%
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 44 locations
New York
1,390 jobs$122,5701.38x
Texas
1,090 jobs$103,4000.75x
Pennsylvania
760 jobs$96,1001.20x
Ohio
750 jobs$75,2501.29x
Virginia
610 jobs$93,6801.43x
Illinois
590 jobs$96,4200.93x
Florida
560 jobs$113,7300.54x
Oregon
470 jobs$89,2202.29x
Georgia
450 jobs$65,0000.88x
Arkansas
430 jobs$52,9903.20x
Maryland
410 jobs$127,1201.43x
Tennessee
390 jobs$110,1401.14x
Kentucky
370 jobs$57,9601.78x
Michigan
360 jobs$125,4200.78x
New Jersey
320 jobs$125,5300.72x
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 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
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:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
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
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
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
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