Life As an Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer

Occupation Description 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.

Daily Life Of an Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer

• Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
• Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
• Conduct studies of appeals procedures in field agencies to ensure adherence to legal requirements and to facilitate determination of cases.
• Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
• Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
• Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.

Things an Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer Should Know How to Do

When polled, Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Types of Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

• Veteran Appeals Reviewer
• Arbitrator
• Appeals Examiner
• Social Security Administrative Law Judge
• Workers’ Compensation Claims Examiner

What Kind of Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer Job Opportunities Are There?

In the United States, there were 15,400 jobs for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers are Texas, New York, and Arkansas.

Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does an Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer Make?

The salary for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers ranges between about $45,120 and $169,640 a year. An Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer median salary is $99,850.

How much do Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Massachusetts	$131,800
Alabama	$124,100
Missouri	$121,450
Kansas	$118,070
California	$117,810
Texas	$116,320
Minnesota	$113,760
Indiana	$112,630
New Jersey	$111,660
Florida	$111,320
Wisconsin	$111,230
Michigan	$110,970
Colorado	$109,350
Washington	$108,810
Mississippi	$108,330
Alaska	$107,150
New York	$106,500
Maryland	$105,950
Iowa	$104,910
North Carolina	$103,420
Connecticut	$100,590
Virginia	$98,830
Tennessee	$97,950
Ohio	$96,790
South Carolina	$96,640
Oklahoma	$95,420
Illinois	$95,120
Pennsylvania	$92,910
Arizona	$92,300
Idaho	$86,190
Oregon	$85,550
Utah	$84,010
New Hampshire	$79,770
Nevada	$79,330
Georgia	$75,900
West Virginia	$74,470
Louisiana	$74,160
Montana	$73,900
New Mexico	$73,270
Vermont	$72,740
Maine	$66,010
Delaware	$65,930
Arkansas	$64,070
Nebraska	$61,000
Kentucky	$57,090

Tools & Technologies Used by Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat

Becoming an Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer

What kind of Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become Administrative Law Judge, Adjudicator, or Hearing Officer?

Where Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Work

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers might also be interested in the following careers:

• Political Science Professors

Those who work as Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Law Professors

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons