Administrative law judges: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers usually work for local, state, and federal government agencies. They decide many issues, such as whether a person is eligible for workers compensation benefits or whether employment discrimination occurred.
- Education Required
- Although there may be a few positions available for those with a bachelors degree, a law degree is typically required for most jobs as a local, state, or federal judge or hearing officer.
- Training Required
- All states have some type of orientation and training requirements for newly elected or appointed judges. The Federal Judicial Center, American Bar Association, National Judicial College, and National Center for State Courts provide judicial education and training for judges and other judicial branch personnel.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 5% (As fast as average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Advancement for some judicial workers means moving to courts with a broader jurisdiction. Advancement for various hearing officers includes taking on more complex cases, practicing law, and becoming district court judges.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Most judges and hearing officers are required to have a law license. In addition, they typically must maintain their law license and good standing with their state bar association while working as a judge or hearing officer.
- Median pay: How much do Judges and Hearing Officers make?
- $109,940 Annual Salary
- $52.86 per hour
Careers for Judges and Hearing Officers
- Administrative court justices
- Appeals examiners
- Appeals referees
- Appellate conferees
- Circuit court judges
- County court judges
- Criminal court judges
- District court judges
- Hearing examiners
- Hearing officers
- Judges
- Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates
- Jurists
- Justices
- Justices of the peace
- Probate judges
- Traffic court referees
- Trial court judges
- Tribal judges