Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers (SOC 23-1021) earn a median $117,860 a year ($56.67 an hour) in the United States, with 16,370 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is District of Columbia.
What administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers do
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers conduct hearings and decide, or recommend decisions on, claims and disputes involving government programs and regulations. Their cases concern matters such as social program eligibility and other government-related claims. Typical tasks include running hearings and trials so that they follow the rules of procedure, taking testimony and reviewing evidence, determining the existence and amount of liability under applicable laws, regulations, and agency policy, preparing written opinions and decisions, and authorizing payment of valid claims and deciding how they will be paid. They may also impose sanctions or penalties or recommend that claims or settlements be accepted or rejected. The classification excludes arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators, who resolve private disputes outside the courts, and it differs from judges and magistrates in the court system and from lawyers who represent parties in hearings. They also research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings, and they review claim applications and supporting documents such as birth or death certificates.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a doctoral degree.
Also called: Administrative Law Judge, Administrative Judge, Adjudicator, Adjudications Specialist, Administrative Hearings Officer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $29.38 | $39.01 | $56.67 | $76.77 | $99.75 | $60.57 | 16,370 |
| Annual | $61,110 | $81,140 | $117,860 | $159,680 | $207,480 | $125,990 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $51.46 | $66.14 | $87.05 | $99.75 | $99.75 | $82.56 | 300 | 0.42 | 3.99 |
| Annual | $107,050 | $137,560 | $181,060 | $207,480 | $207,480 | $171,730 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $43.00 | $56.25 | $69.85 | $99.75 | $99.75 | $74.52 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.21 |
| Annual | $89,440 | $117,000 | $145,290 | $207,480 | $207,480 | $154,990 | ||||
| Alabama | Hourly | $36.61 | $54.04 | $64.81 | $99.75 | $99.75 | $72.32 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.32 |
| Annual | $76,160 | $112,400 | $134,810 | $207,480 | $207,480 | $150,430 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $30.00 | $40.21 | $64.16 | $84.48 | $98.07 | $63.06 | 430 | 0.16 | 1.49 |
| Annual | $62,390 | $83,630 | $133,460 | $175,720 | $203,990 | $131,160 | ||||
| Wisconsin | Hourly | $44.55 | $58.28 | $63.58 | $86.07 | $99.75 | $69.19 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.19 |
| Annual | $92,660 | $121,220 | $132,250 | $179,030 | $207,480 | $143,910 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York | Hourly | $41.89 | $48.65 | $59.22 | $63.69 | $79.96 | $59.21 | 1,400 | 0.14 | 1.37 |
| Annual | $87,130 | $101,190 | $123,170 | $132,480 | $166,320 | $123,150 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $21.85 | $31.93 | $48.27 | $62.48 | $77.74 | $49.04 | 1,300 | 0.09 | 0.88 |
| Annual | $45,450 | $66,420 | $100,400 | $129,960 | $161,700 | $102,010 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $32.28 | $37.12 | $47.12 | $62.81 | $76.98 | $52.31 | 800 | 0.13 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $67,130 | $77,200 | $98,010 | $130,640 | $160,120 | $108,790 | ||||
| Ohio | Hourly | $27.66 | $33.56 | $37.98 | $58.19 | $77.10 | $47.59 | 690 | 0.13 | 1.19 |
| Annual | $57,530 | $69,800 | $79,000 | $121,040 | $160,370 | $98,990 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $35.54 | $46.42 | $55.73 | $71.84 | $99.75 | $60.76 | 570 | 0.06 | 0.55 |
| Annual | $73,920 | $96,550 | $115,920 | $149,430 | $207,480 | $126,380 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Tallahassee, FL | Hourly | $48.58 | $54.80 | $85.17 | $85.17 | $85.17 | $76.80 | 60 | 0.33 | 3.16 |
| Annual | $101,050 | $113,980 | $177,150 | $177,150 | $177,150 | $159,750 | ||||
| Kansas City, MO-KS | Hourly | $39.47 | $43.36 | $79.10 | $99.75 | $99.75 | $74.00 | 60 | 0.06 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $82,100 | $90,190 | $164,530 | $207,480 | $207,480 | $153,930 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $38.59 | $49.05 | $73.07 | $89.05 | $99.75 | $70.00 | 660 | 0.21 | 2.01 |
| Annual | $80,260 | $102,020 | $151,990 | $185,220 | $207,480 | $145,610 | ||||
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | Hourly | $54.59 | $61.26 | $69.55 | $69.55 | $79.55 | $66.27 | 120 | 0.56 | 5.34 |
| Annual | $113,550 | $127,420 | $144,660 | $144,660 | $165,460 | $137,840 | ||||
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | Hourly | $28.19 | $51.79 | $67.33 | $79.56 | $99.75 | $66.35 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.27 |
| Annual | $58,640 | $107,720 | $140,050 | $165,480 | $207,480 | $138,000 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $43.28 | $50.93 | $62.96 | $63.85 | $82.99 | $60.88 | 1,230 | 0.13 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $90,020 | $105,930 | $130,960 | $132,800 | $172,620 | $126,620 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $38.59 | $49.05 | $73.07 | $89.05 | $99.75 | $70.00 | 660 | 0.21 | 2.01 |
| Annual | $80,260 | $102,020 | $151,990 | $185,220 | $207,480 | $145,610 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $33.88 | $44.49 | $59.81 | $70.11 | $78.61 | $58.54 | 420 | 0.13 | 1.21 |
| Annual | $70,470 | $92,550 | $124,400 | $145,830 | $163,510 | $121,750 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $23.52 | $27.31 | $34.83 | $64.29 | $93.84 | $46.79 | 390 | 0.14 | 1.28 |
| Annual | $48,930 | $56,810 | $72,440 | $133,720 | $195,190 | $97,330 | ||||
| Columbus, OH | Hourly | $26.72 | $30.71 | $37.18 | $37.98 | $56.02 | $38.81 | 390 | 0.35 | 3.37 |
| Annual | $55,580 | $63,880 | $77,330 | $79,000 | $116,520 | $80,730 | ||||
Top industries employing administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) employ 52.7% of administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers nationally (8,630 jobs) at a median $106,050 a year ($50.98 an hour), followed by Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) (31.0%) and Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) (15.5%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999200 | 8,630 | 52.7% | $106,050 | $50.98 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 5,080 | 31.0% | $135,730 | $65.26 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 2,540 | 15.5% | $94,520 | $45.44 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (16,370). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $102,550 for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers in May 2021 and $117,860 in May 2025, with employment of 13,840 and 16,370.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $102,550 | $49.30 | 13,840 |
| May 2022 | $94,990 | $45.67 | 12,490 |
| May 2023 | $111,090 | $53.41 | 14,670 |
| May 2024 | $115,230 | $55.40 | 16,230 |
| May 2025 | $117,860 | $56.67 | 16,370 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
41 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia profile | $87.05 | $181,060 | $107,050 | $207,480 | 300 | 0.42 | 3.99 |
| 2 | Indiana profile | $69.85 | $145,290 | $89,440 | $207,480 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.21 |
| 3 | Alabama profile | $64.81 | $134,810 | $76,160 | $207,480 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.32 |
| 4 | Maryland profile | $64.16 | $133,460 | $62,390 | $203,990 | 430 | 0.16 | 1.49 |
| 5 | Wisconsin profile | $63.58 | $132,250 | $92,660 | $207,480 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.19 |
| 6 | North Carolina profile | $62.48 | $129,960 | $78,890 | $207,480 | 260 | 0.05 | 0.50 |
| 7 | Missouri profile | $62.34 | $129,670 | $74,980 | $207,480 | 160 | 0.06 | 0.53 |
| 8 | New Jersey profile | $61.69 | $128,320 | $87,130 | $184,120 | 330 | 0.08 | 0.74 |
| 9 | Michigan profile | $61.26 | $127,420 | $61,550 | $207,480 | 390 | 0.09 | 0.84 |
| 10 | Kansas profile | $60.85 | $126,570 | $108,890 | $207,480 | 40 | 0.03 | 0.28 |
| 11 | Louisiana profile | $60.79 | $126,440 | $61,110 | $224,240 | 140 | 0.07 | 0.68 |
| 12 | Minnesota profile | $60.75 | $126,360 | $83,280 | $158,390 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| 13 | Iowa profile | $59.38 | $123,500 | $78,810 | $143,490 | 80 | 0.05 | 0.51 |
| 14 | Arizona profile | $59.25 | $123,240 | $76,480 | $169,330 | 300 | 0.09 | 0.89 |
| 15 | New York profile | $59.22 | $123,170 | $87,130 | $166,320 | 1,400 | 0.14 | 1.37 |
| 16 | Oklahoma profile | $59.10 | $122,930 | $63,630 | $207,480 | 90 | 0.05 | 0.51 |
| 17 | Washington profile | $58.84 | $122,390 | $98,350 | $181,940 | 330 | 0.09 | 0.89 |
| 18 | Colorado profile | $58.37 | $121,410 | $77,950 | $207,480 | 220 | 0.08 | 0.71 |
| 19 | Nebraska profile | $56.28 | $117,060 | $92,480 | $207,480 | 30 | 0.03 | 0.31 |
| 20 | Florida profile | $55.73 | $115,920 | $73,920 | $207,480 | 570 | 0.06 | 0.55 |
| 21 | Massachusetts profile | $54.69 | $113,750 | $82,620 | $183,350 | 270 | 0.07 | 0.70 |
| 22 | Tennessee profile | $51.80 | $107,740 | $41,740 | $207,480 | 380 | 0.12 | 1.09 |
| 23 | Hawaii profile | $51.19 | $106,480 | $79,860 | $139,480 | 50 | 0.08 | 0.77 |
| 24 | Illinois profile | $50.48 | $104,990 | $59,990 | $180,960 | 550 | 0.09 | 0.85 |
| 25 | Utah profile | $49.70 | $103,380 | $57,390 | $176,050 | 190 | 0.11 | 1.05 |
| 26 | Texas profile | $48.27 | $100,400 | $45,450 | $161,700 | 1,300 | 0.09 | 0.88 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania profile | $47.12 | $98,010 | $67,130 | $160,120 | 800 | 0.13 | 1.26 |
| 28 | Connecticut profile | $45.82 | $95,310 | $78,520 | $154,560 | 300 | 0.18 | 1.69 |
| 29 | South Carolina profile | $45.62 | $94,880 | $55,480 | $207,480 | 130 | 0.06 | 0.54 |
| 30 | Oregon profile | $42.90 | $89,220 | $64,130 | $166,040 | 480 | 0.25 | 2.34 |
| 31 | Nevada profile | $41.94 | $87,240 | $61,480 | $150,510 | 170 | 0.11 | 1.05 |
| 32 | Montana profile | $40.34 | $83,910 | $48,280 | $129,440 | 90 | 0.17 | 1.65 |
| 33 | New Mexico profile | $38.85 | $80,800 | $53,680 | $196,660 | 140 | 0.17 | 1.57 |
| 34 | Ohio profile | $37.98 | $79,000 | $57,530 | $160,370 | 690 | 0.13 | 1.19 |
| 35 | West Virginia profile | $37.92 | $78,870 | $51,570 | $187,990 | 90 | 0.12 | 1.16 |
| 36 | Maine profile | $36.52 | $75,960 | $60,280 | $147,390 | 120 | 0.18 | 1.73 |
| 37 | Georgia profile | $32.69 | $67,990 | $48,930 | $195,190 | 490 | 0.10 | 0.96 |
| 38 | Mississippi profile | $31.88 | $66,310 | $38,910 | $207,480 | 110 | 0.10 | 0.91 |
| 39 | Idaho profile | $31.27 | $65,050 | $59,840 | $115,920 | 110 | 0.12 | 1.17 |
| 40 | Arkansas profile | $30.60 | $63,660 | $45,610 | $121,260 | 340 | 0.26 | 2.46 |
| 41 | Delaware profile | $27.32 | $56,830 | $40,540 | $127,730 | 70 | 0.15 | 1.39 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (23-1020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Legal Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 23-1021 Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 23-1021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 23-1021.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.