Shigoto Zukan
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How to become Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Legal Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$117,860
25th–75th pct. $81,140–$159,680
Top pay (est.)
$269,700
Top 10% $207,480
Pay in 5 years
$129,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$141,900est.
$122,000–$164,700
Outlook score
39/100
★★☆☆☆ Below average
AI replacement risk
81%
Very high
Job growth (10 yr)
+0.0%
500 openings / yr

How to become Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Typical education
Doctoral or professional degree
BLS
Related experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Key skills

Active Listening
5.8
Critical Thinking
5.2
Writing
5.1
Reading Comprehension
5.0
Speaking
5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
4.9
Active Learning
4.2
Social Perceptiveness
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Law and Government
6.5
English Language
6.1
Administrative
4.1
Computers and Electronics
3.4
Customer and Personal Service
3.2
Administration and Management
3.1
Mathematics
2.8
Psychology
2.7

What the work involves

Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGetting InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Doctoral degree
37%
Bachelor's degree
20%
Professional degree
14%
Associate's degree
11%
Some college
11%
Post-doctoral training
5%
Master's degree
1%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
26%
1–3 months
23%
None / short demo
20%
6–12 months
14%
1–2 years
9%
3–6 months
6%
4–10 years
3%

Related work experience

4–6 years
43%
6–8 years
26%
2–4 years
20%
8–10 years
6%
Over 10 years
3%
6–12 months
3%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.