Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
SOC Code: 23-1021Also known as:
Adjudications Specialist, Adjudicator, Administrative Hearings Officer, Administrative Judge, Administrative Law Judge
Median Annual Salary
$115,230
-0.7% growth (2024-2034)
500
Openings/Year
18K
Current Jobs
What 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.
💰 Salary
$115,230
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-0.7%
Little or no change
🎓 Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
500
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
5 years or more
Required before entry
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
17,500
Projected Employment (2034)
17,400
Related Careers
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
$76,790 •
-5.1% growth
Judicial law clerks
$60,400 •
+2.5% growth
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators
$67,710 •
+4.3% growth
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
$156,210 •
+2.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Writing
Judgment and Decision Making
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
- 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.
- Authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.
- Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
- Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
- Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
- Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
- Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
- Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Doctoral Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers:
Law
39,447 degrees awarded •
210 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers make?
The median annual salary for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is $115,230.
What education do administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers need?
Most administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Common degree programs include Law.
Is becoming administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers a good career choice?
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is projected to see -0.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 500 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers?
Top colleges for aspiring administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Harvard University, New York University, Columbia University in the City of New York.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers?
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers may also be known as: Adjudications Specialist, Adjudicator, Administrative Hearings Officer, Administrative Judge, Administrative Law Judge, Appeals Examiner, Appeals Officer, Appeals Referee, Appellate Conferee, Child Support Hearing Officer, Claims Adjudicator, Clinical Appeals Reviewer, County Ordinary, Disability Hearing Officer, Disciplinary Hearing Officer, Field Hearing Officer, Hearing Examiner, Hearing Officer, Hearings Examiner, Hearings Officer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.