Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Judges and hearing officers typically need a law degree and work experience as a lawyer. PayThe median annual wage for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers was $117,860 in May 2025.The median annual wage for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates was $153,990 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of judges and hearing officers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for judges and hearing officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for judges and hearing officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of judges and hearing officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers was $117,860 in May 2025.The median annual wage for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates was $153,990 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of judges and hearing officers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for judges and hearing officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for judges and hearing officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of judges and hearing officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of judges and hearing officers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for judges and hearing officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for judges and hearing officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of judges and hearing officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Judges and hearing officers oversee legal matters in court or administrative proceedings.
Work Environment
Judges and hearing officers are employed by the federal government or by local and state governments. Most judges and hearing officers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Judge or Hearing Officer
Judges and hearing officers typically need a law degree and work experience as a lawyer.
Pay
The median annual wage for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers was $117,860 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates was $153,990 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of judges and hearing officers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for judges and hearing officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for judges and hearing officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of judges and hearing officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Judges and hearing officers are employed by the federal government or by local and state governments. Most judges and hearing officers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Judge or Hearing Officer
Judges and hearing officers typically need a law degree and work experience as a lawyer.
Pay
The median annual wage for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers was $117,860 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates was $153,990 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of judges and hearing officers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,300 openings for judges and hearing officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for judges and hearing officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of judges and hearing officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for judges and hearing officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of judges and hearing officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about judges and hearing officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.