CFChooseField
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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
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Median pay

$115,230
Median annual pay for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-0.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

17,500
Estimated U.S. employment for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical additional preparation: 5 years or more of related work experience; Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Writing
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Law and Government
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Administrative
  5. 5Medicine and Dentistry
  6. 6Administration and Management

Abilities

  1. 1Inductive Reasoning
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Written Expression
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Enterprising
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Integrity
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Self-Control
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Leadership Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  4. 4Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  5. 5Processing Information
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Spend Time Sitting
  3. 3E-Mail
  4. 4Frequency of Decision Making
  5. 5Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyCourtroom scheduling softwareEmail softwareLexisNexis

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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