Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary by State
Also called: Administrative Law Judges
The national median pay for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers is $117,860 a year. By state, it ranges from $56,830 in Delaware to $181,060 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $61,110
- 25th percentile
- $81,140
- Median
- $117,860
- 75th percentile
- $159,680
- Top 10%
- $207,480
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 16,370 jobs.
Median pay in 40 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $181,060 | +54% | $107,050 | $207,480 | 300 |
| 2 | Indiana | $145,290 | +23% | $89,440 | $207,480 | 70 |
| 3 | Alabama | $134,810 | +14% | $76,160 | $207,480 | 70 |
| 4 | Maryland | $133,460 | +13% | $62,390 | $203,990 | 430 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $132,250 | +12% | $92,660 | $207,480 | 60 |
| 6 | North Carolina | $129,960 | +10% | $78,890 | $207,480 | 260 |
| 7 | Missouri | $129,670 | +10% | $74,980 | $207,480 | 160 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $128,320 | +9% | $87,130 | $184,120 | 330 |
| 9 | Michigan | $127,420 | +8% | $61,550 | $207,480 | 390 |
| 10 | Kansas | $126,570 | +7% | $108,890 | $207,480 | 40 |
| 11 | Louisiana | $126,440 | +7% | $61,110 | $224,240 | 140 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $126,360 | +7% | $83,280 | $158,390 | 120 |
| 13 | Iowa | $123,500 | +5% | $78,810 | $143,490 | 80 |
| 14 | Arizona | $123,240 | +5% | $76,480 | $169,330 | 300 |
| 15 | New York | $123,170 | +5% | $87,130 | $166,320 | 1,400 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | $122,930 | +4% | $63,630 | $207,480 | 90 |
| 17 | Washington | $122,390 | +4% | $98,350 | $181,940 | 330 |
| 18 | Colorado | $121,410 | +3% | $77,950 | $207,480 | 220 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $117,060 | −1% | $92,480 | $207,480 | 30 |
| 20 | Florida | $115,920 | −2% | $73,920 | $207,480 | 570 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $113,750 | −3% | $82,620 | $183,350 | 270 |
| 22 | Tennessee | $107,740 | −9% | $41,740 | $207,480 | 380 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $106,480 | −10% | $79,860 | $139,480 | 50 |
| 24 | Illinois | $104,990 | −11% | $59,990 | $180,960 | 550 |
| 25 | Utah | $103,380 | −12% | $57,390 | $176,050 | 190 |
| 26 | Texas | $100,400 | −15% | $45,450 | $161,700 | 1,300 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $98,010 | −17% | $67,130 | $160,120 | 800 |
| 28 | Connecticut | $95,310 | −19% | $78,520 | $154,560 | 300 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $94,880 | −19% | $55,480 | $207,480 | 130 |
| 30 | Oregon | $89,220 | −24% | $64,130 | $166,040 | 480 |
| 31 | Nevada | $87,240 | −26% | $61,480 | $150,510 | 170 |
| 32 | Montana | $83,910 | −29% | $48,280 | $129,440 | 90 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $80,800 | −31% | $53,680 | $196,660 | 140 |
| 34 | Ohio | $79,000 | −33% | $57,530 | $160,370 | 690 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $78,870 | −33% | $51,570 | $187,990 | 90 |
| 36 | Maine | $75,960 | −36% | $60,280 | $147,390 | 120 |
| 37 | Georgia | $67,990 | −42% | $48,930 | $195,190 | 490 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $66,310 | −44% | $38,910 | $207,480 | 110 |
| 39 | Idaho | $65,050 | −45% | $59,840 | $115,920 | 110 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $63,660 | −46% | $45,610 | $121,260 | 340 |
| 41 | Delaware | $56,830 | −52% | $40,540 | $127,730 | 70 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers salary questions
Which state pays administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $181,060 a year (+54% vs. the national median of $117,860). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers the least?
Delaware, with a median of $56,830 a year (−52% vs. national).
Where do most administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers work?
New York has the most jobs, about 1,400, with a median of $123,170.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.