Arbitrators: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Arbitrators are usually attorneys, business professionals, or retired judges with expertise in a particular field. As impartial third parties, they hear and decide disputes between opposing parties. Arbitrators may work alone or in a panel with other arbitrators. In some cases, arbitrators may decide procedural issues, such as what evidence may be submitted and when hearings will be held.
Arbitration may be required by law for some claims and disputes. When it is not required, the parties in dispute sometimes voluntarily agree to arbitration rather than proceed with litigation or a trial. In some cases, parties may appeal the arbitrators decision.
- Education Required
- Education is one part of becoming an arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator.
- Training Required
- Mediators typically work under the supervision of an experienced mediator for a certain number of cases before working independently.
- Job Outlook
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The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 11% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- There is no national license for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators. However, some states require arbitrators and mediators to become certified to work on certain types of cases. Qualifications, standards, and the number of training hours required vary by state or by court. Most states require mediators to complete 20 to 40 hours of training courses to become certified. Some states require additional hours of training in a specialty area.
- Median pay: How much do Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators make?
- $59,770 Annual Salary
- $28.74 per hour
Careers for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Alternate dispute resolution coordinators
- Conciliators
- Mediation commissioners
- Mediators
- Ombudsmen