Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers fall under the Legal category in the U.S. occupational classification. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn a median salary of $115,230 per year, ranking in the top 7% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -0.7% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a professional doctorate (such as MD, DO, JD, DDS, or PharmD), with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earn?

The median annual wage for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is $115,230. That puts administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers at #61 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is -0.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 17K positions in 2024 to 17K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
2. 2.Prepare written opinions and decisions.
3. 3.Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
4. 4.Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
5. 5.Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
6. 6.Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.
7. 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.
8. 8.Authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.

Top skills for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officer?

Becoming a administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officer typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
  $156,210 median
• Lawyers
  $151,160 median
• Legal Support Workers, All Other
  $68,760 median
• Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
  $67,710 median
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
  $61,010 median
• Judicial Law Clerks
  $60,400 median

Common questions parents ask about administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers