Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Make?
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn a median annual salary of $115,230 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $56,970 at the 10th percentile to $203,990 at the 90th percentile — a range of $147,020. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $181,060.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $56,970 |
| 25th percentile | $76,920 |
| Median (50th) | $115,230 |
| 75th percentile | $161,290 |
| 90th percentile | $203,990 |
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $181,060 |
| Alabama | $149,760 |
| Indiana | $143,850 |
| Minnesota | $135,050 |
| Wisconsin | $129,750 |
| Maryland | $127,120 |
| Missouri | $127,070 |
| Kansas | $126,570 |
| New Jersey | $125,530 |
| Michigan | $125,420 |
| Massachusetts | $124,590 |
| Louisiana | $124,090 |
| Oklahoma | $124,090 |
| New York | $122,570 |
| Washington | $121,850 |
| Nebraska | $120,640 |
| Colorado | $120,290 |
| Arizona | $118,810 |
| Iowa | $116,820 |
| North Carolina | $115,090 |
| Florida | $113,730 |
| Tennessee | $110,140 |
| New Hampshire | $104,150 |
| West Virginia | $103,840 |
| Utah | $103,790 |
| Texas | $103,400 |
| Hawaii | $98,630 |
| Illinois | $96,420 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,100 |
| Virginia | $93,680 |
| South Carolina | $89,630 |
| Oregon | $89,220 |
| Connecticut | $87,790 |
| Nevada | $85,310 |
| Montana | $77,560 |
| Mississippi | $75,540 |
| Ohio | $75,250 |
| New Mexico | $65,580 |
| Georgia | $65,000 |
| Maine | $60,880 |
| Idaho | $58,410 |
| Kentucky | $57,960 |
| Delaware | $54,500 |
| Arkansas | $52,990 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$56,970 – $76,920 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$115,230 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$161,290 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $203,990+ |
How to Earn More as an Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in District of Columbia earn $181,060 — $65,830 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($161,290) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officerthis career | $115,230 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigator | $76,790 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,420 |
| Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officer | $78,420 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officer requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 23-1021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.