Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in Massachusetts
Thinking about a career as an Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in Massachusetts? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators” (23-1022).
What do Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Make in Massachusetts?
The administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers working in Massachusetts, the median annual wage is $124,590 per year (or roughly $59.90/hour).Earnings range from $69,990 at the 10th percentile to $203,990 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| 25th percentile | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Median (50th) | $124,590 | $59.90 |
| 75th percentile | $172,740 | $83.05 |
| 90th percentile | $203,990 | $98.07 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Massachusetts relative to the national average — is 0.28, indicating fewer administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers earn a median of $137,571 per year ($66.14/hour), below the Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 191,947 administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers across the United States. In Massachusetts alone, about 110 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 190 administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
The largest metro-area employers of administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 100 | $120,700 |
Top States for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New York | 1,390 |
| Texas | 1,090 |
| Pennsylvania | 760 |
| Ohio | 750 |
| Virginia | 610 |
| Illinois | 590 |
| Florida | 560 |
| Oregon | 470 |
| Georgia | 450 |
| Arkansas | 430 |
| Maryland | 410 |
| Tennessee | 390 |
| Kentucky | 370 |
| Michigan | 360 |
| Washington | 320 |
| New Jersey | 320 |
| Arizona | 320 |
| District of Columbia | 300 |
| Connecticut | 280 |
| North Carolina | 250 |
Highest-Paying States for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
The highest-paying states for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $181,060 |
| Alabama | $149,760 |
| Indiana | $143,850 |
| Minnesota | $135,050 |
| Wisconsin | $129,750 |
| Maryland | $127,120 |
| Missouri | $127,070 |
| Kansas | $126,570 |
| New Jersey | $125,530 |
| Michigan | $125,420 |
Skills
Key administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers typically:
- Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
- Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
- Prepare written opinions and decisions.
- Authorize payment of valid claims and determine method of payment.
- Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
- Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
- Review and evaluate data on documents, such as claim applications, birth or death certificates, or physician or employer records.
- Recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or compromise settlements according to laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions.
- Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
- Explain to claimants how they can appeal rulings that go against them.
- Confer with individuals or organizations involved in cases to obtain relevant information.
- Issue subpoenas and administer oaths in preparation for formal hearings.
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Other careers like administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers include:
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Compliance Officers
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Coroners
- Labor Relations Specialists
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
Also Known As
Adjudications Specialist, Adjudicator, Administrative Hearing Officer, Administrative Hearings Officer, Administrative Judge, Administrative Law Judge, Appeals Examiner, Appeals Officer, Appeals Referee, Appellate Conferee, Child Support Hearing Officer, Claims Adjudicator, Clinical Appeals Reviewer, County Ordinary, Disability Hearing Officer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 23-1021.00