Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

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.

SOC: 23-1021.00

Common Job Titles

Administrative Hearings OfficerAdministrative JudgeAdministrative Law JudgeHearings Officer

What You'll Need to Succeed

AI-generated

Key competencies for this occupation at a glance

  • KnowledgeEvaluate evidence and testimony against legal standards and regulatory requirements during formal administrative hearings to determine liability, sanctions, or penalties.
  • KnowledgeAnalyze complex legal claims and government program disputes using critical thinking and legal research databases such as LexisNexis and Westlaw.
  • KnowledgeSynthesize legal precedents, statutory regulations, and case facts into written decisions independently, adhering to administrative law procedures and due process requirements.
  • MindsetIntegrate impartiality and procedural fairness principles into hearing management while balancing competing interests of claimants, government agencies, and the public.
  • KnowledgeAssess credibility of witnesses and reliability of documentary evidence through active listening and social perceptiveness during testimony and cross-examination.
  • KnowledgeFormulate reasoned legal opinions and recommendations on contested matters using Microsoft Office and legal research software to document findings and rationale.
  • KnowledgeInterpret federal and state statutes, regulations, and administrative codes to determine applicability to contested cases involving government programs.
  • MindsetAdvocate for transparency and accountability in administrative adjudication processes when conducting public hearings and issuing written opinions.
  • MindsetBalance conflicting legal arguments and stakeholder positions when negotiating settlements or recommending claim resolutions under time constraints.
  • KnowledgeApply procedural rules and evidentiary standards to manage hearings efficiently, ensuring due process for all parties in administrative proceedings.
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual wage data for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers (2024)

Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)

16,230

Wage Distribution by Percentile

MetricU.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less$56,970
10% of workers earn the following or more$203,990
Workers on average earn$122,620

+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)

Skills & Requirements

Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance

  • Law and Government4.8/5
  • English Language4.1/5
  • Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
  • Administrative3.4/5
  • Medicine and Dentistry3.3/5
Tools & Technology

Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation

In-Demand Technology

Frequently requested by employers in job postings

Adobe AcrobatMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSAP software

Technology Skills

Courtroom scheduling softwareEmail softwareInstant messaging softwareLexisNexisOnline databasesThomson Reuters WestlawVideoconferencing softwareWeb browser software

Tools & Equipment

Computer laser printersCourtroom microphonesDesktop computersDigital audio recordersDigital video playersGavelsLaptop computersLaser facsimile machines