How much does a administrative law judge make?
The median administrative law judge in the United States earns $117,860 per year, about $56.67 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all administrative law judges earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 23-1021.
Administrative law judge salary range
Pay for administrative law judges spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $61,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $207,480. The average (mean) wage of $125,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,110 | $29.38 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $81,140 | $39.01 | |
| Median (50th) | $117,860 | $56.67 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $159,680 | $76.77 | |
| 90th percentile | $207,480 | $99.75 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers (SOC 23-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Administrative law judge salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Administrative law judges earn the most in District of Columbia at $181,060 a year, and the least in Delaware at $56,830. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $181,060 | 300 |
| Indiana | $145,290 | 70 |
| Alabama | $134,810 | 70 |
| Maryland | $133,460 | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $132,250 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $129,960 | 260 |
| Missouri | $129,670 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $128,320 | 330 |
| Michigan | $127,420 | 390 |
| Kansas | $126,570 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $126,440 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $126,360 | 120 |
| Iowa | $123,500 | 80 |
| Arizona | $123,240 | 300 |
| New York | $123,170 | 1,400 |
| Oklahoma | $122,930 | 90 |
| Washington | $122,390 | 330 |
| Colorado | $121,410 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $117,060 | 30 |
| Florida | $115,920 | 570 |
| Massachusetts | $113,750 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $107,740 | 380 |
| Hawaii | $106,480 | 50 |
| Illinois | $104,990 | 550 |
| Utah | $103,380 | 190 |
| Texas | $100,400 | 1,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,010 | 800 |
| Connecticut | $95,310 | 300 |
| South Carolina | $94,880 | 130 |
| Oregon | $89,220 | 480 |
| Nevada | $87,240 | 170 |
| Montana | $83,910 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $80,800 | 140 |
| Ohio | $79,000 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $78,870 | 90 |
| Maine | $75,960 | 120 |
| Georgia | $67,990 | 490 |
| Mississippi | $66,310 | 110 |
| Idaho | $65,050 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $63,660 | 340 |
| Delaware | $56,830 | 70 |
State median wages for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers (SOC 23-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for administrative law judges
The BLS projects employment of administrative law judges to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 17,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 17,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 500 openings a year for administrative law judges. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an administrative law judge
The typical entry-level education for administrative law judges is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an administrative law judge earns
Firm size, practice area, years of experience, and metro area drive the spread. Large firms and major markets pay far above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $181,060) and the lowest (Delaware, $56,830) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 16,370 people work as administrative law judges in the United States. At $117,860 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Administrative law judge salary FAQ
How much does an administrative law judge make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an administrative law judge is $56.67. The middle half of administrative law judges earn between $39.01 and $76.77 per hour.
What is the highest administrative law judge salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of administrative law judges earn more than $207,480 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an administrative law judge make a year?
The median annual salary for an administrative law judge is $117,860. The average (mean) wage of $125,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an administrative law judge a well paid job?
At $117,860 a year, an administrative law judge earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 16,370 people work as administrative law judges in the United States.
Which state pays administrative law judges the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for administrative law judges at $181,060 a year. Indiana ($145,290) and Alabama ($134,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an administrative law judge a good career?
Employment of administrative law judges is projected to hold roughly steady 0% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an administrative law judge?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for administrative law judges as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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