Legal
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Also called: Adjudications Specialist, Adjudicator, Administrative Hearings Officer, Administrative Judge
US median pay
$117,860
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
0%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
500
17,400 employed
Typical entry education
Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
- Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
- Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
- Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
- Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.
- Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
- Schedule hearings.
- Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Negotiation3.1/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation2.9/5
Knowledge
- Law and Government4.9/5
- English Language4.9/5
- Administrative3.3/5
- Computers and Electronics2.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.6/5
- Administration and Management2.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Doctoral or professional degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Doctoral degree37%
- Bachelor's degree20%
- First professional degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.