Legal
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
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.
Median pay
$117,860
Growth to 2035
0%
little or no change
Openings a year
500
Time to qualify*
10.1 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- 5 years or more
Calculate your switch to administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers: 26% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
- Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
- Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
- Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
- Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.
- Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
Also called: Adjudications Specialist · Adjudicator · Administrative Hearings Officer · Administrative Judge · Administrative Law Judge · Appeals Examiner · Appeals Referee · Claims Adjudicator
Outlook and AI
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers held 17,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 17,400 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
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