Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn a median $117,860 a year nationally. Legal Occupations
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.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- 0.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 500
Employment of administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is projected to grow 0.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,099
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,307
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,709
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$91,745
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,110 | $29.38 | $51,282 |
| 25th percentile | $81,140 | $39.01 | $65,912 |
| Median (50th) | $117,860 | $56.66 | $91,745 |
| 75th percentile | $159,680 | $76.77 | $120,407 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,480 | $99.75 | $154,436 |
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $181,060 | +0.0% | $122,599 | $107,050 – $207,480 | 300 |
| Indiana | $145,290 | +1.0% | $106,315 | $89,440 – $207,480 | 70 |
| Alabama | $134,810 | −10.0% | $96,933 | $76,160 – $207,480 | 70 |
| Maryland | $133,460 | +5.0% | $96,438 | $62,390 – $203,990 | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $132,250 | +1.9% | $96,030 | $92,660 – $207,480 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $129,960 | +12.9% | $95,417 | $78,890 – $207,480 | 260 |
| Missouri | $129,670 | +2.0% | $94,738 | $74,980 – $207,480 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $128,320 | +2.2% | $92,989 | $87,130 – $184,120 | 330 |
| Michigan | $127,420 | +1.6% | $93,193 | $61,550 – $207,480 | 390 |
| Kansas | $126,570 | +0.0% | $91,514 | $108,890 – $207,480 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $126,440 | +1.9% | $94,281 | $61,110 – $224,240 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $126,360 | −6.4% | $90,547 | $83,280 – $158,390 | 120 |
| Iowa | $123,500 | +5.7% | $91,637 | $78,810 – $143,490 | 80 |
| Arizona | $123,240 | +3.7% | $92,628 | $76,480 – $169,330 | 300 |
| New York | $123,170 | +0.5% | $89,226 | $87,130 – $166,320 | 1,400 |
| Oklahoma | $122,930 | −0.9% | $90,302 | $63,630 – $207,480 | 90 |
| Washington | $122,390 | +0.4% | $94,920 | $98,350 – $181,940 | 330 |
| Colorado | $121,410 | +0.9% | $89,608 | $77,950 – $207,480 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $117,060 | −3.0% | $86,735 | $92,480 – $207,480 | 30 |
| Florida | $115,920 | +1.9% | $90,380 | $73,920 – $207,480 | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $113,750 | −8.7% | $83,386 | $82,620 – $183,350 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $107,740 | −2.2% | $84,625 | $41,740 – $207,480 | 380 |
| Hawaii | $106,480 | +8.0% | $77,176 | $79,860 – $139,480 | 50 |
| Illinois | $104,990 | +8.9% | $77,638 | $59,990 – $180,960 | 550 |
| Utah | $103,380 | −0.4% | $77,872 | $57,390 – $176,050 | 190 |
| Texas | $100,400 | −2.9% | $79,461 | $45,450 – $161,700 | 1,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,010 | +2.0% | $74,771 | $67,130 – $160,120 | 800 |
| Connecticut | $95,310 | +8.6% | $72,214 | $78,520 – $154,560 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $94,880 | +5.9% | $71,042 | $55,480 – $207,480 | 130 |
| Oregon | $89,220 | +0.0% | $64,619 | $64,130 – $166,040 | 480 |
| Nevada | $87,240 | +2.3% | $70,203 | $61,480 – $150,510 | 170 |
| Montana | $83,910 | +8.2% | $64,481 | $48,280 – $129,440 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $80,800 | +23.2% | $63,041 | $53,680 – $196,660 | 140 |
| Ohio | $79,000 | +5.0% | $63,016 | $57,530 – $160,370 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $78,870 | −24.0% | $61,448 | $51,570 – $187,990 | 90 |
| Maine | $75,960 | +24.8% | $58,322 | $60,280 – $147,390 | 120 |
| Georgia | $67,990 | +4.6% | $53,755 | $48,930 – $195,190 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $66,310 | −12.2% | $53,540 | $38,910 – $207,480 | 110 |
| Idaho | $65,050 | +11.4% | $52,108 | $59,840 – $115,920 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $63,660 | +20.1% | $51,061 | $45,610 – $121,260 | 340 |
| Delaware | $56,830 | +4.3% | $45,366 | $40,540 – $127,730 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $153,990 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.8% |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $75,530 | Bachelor's degree | +4.7% |
| Lawyer | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree | +4.7% |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $64,920 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.8% |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $72,110 | Associate's degree | -0.3% |
| Paralegal and Legal Assistant | $62,890 | Associate's degree | -0.3% |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $58,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.1% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers make?
The national median salary for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is $117,860 a year ($56.66 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $61,110 and the top 10% earn over $207,480. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $181,060.
How many administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers are there in the U.S.?
About 16,370 people work as administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers nationwide.