Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Median Salary
$95,521
Average (Mean)
$104,932
Employed Nationwide
11,140
VS

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median Salary
$58,945
Average (Mean)
$62,659
Employed Nationwide
353,430
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earns $36,576 more (62.1%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $95,521 $58,945
Average (Mean) Salary $104,932 $62,659
Total Employment 11,140 353,430
States with Higher Pay 37 3

Salary by State: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Showing 40 states where both occupations have BLS data. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers pays more in 37 states; Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 3.

State Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Paralegals and Legal Assistants Difference
Arizona $107,400
$61,080
+$46,320
Colorado $123,640
$68,860
+$54,780
Connecticut $91,350
$69,370
+$21,980
Delaware $54,870
$63,930
$-9,060
Florida $114,900
$60,650
+$54,250
Georgia $60,300
$58,540
+$1,760
Hawaii $94,400
$60,460
+$33,940
Idaho $60,010
$48,190
+$11,820
Illinois $109,470
$57,360
+$52,110
Indiana $142,580
$48,990
+$93,590
Iowa $112,220
$59,020
+$53,200
Kentucky $42,950
$49,800
$-6,850
Louisiana $96,220
$48,210
+$48,010
Maine $59,110
$59,370
$-260
Maryland $122,280
$64,940
+$57,340
Massachusetts $125,550
$70,570
+$54,980
Michigan $126,610
$59,970
+$66,640
Minnesota $117,540
$62,590
+$54,950
Mississippi $64,630
$38,450
+$26,180
Missouri $124,180
$59,890
+$64,290
Montana $70,960
$56,400
+$14,560
Nevada $75,880
$62,700
+$13,180
New Hampshire $63,270
$59,160
+$4,110
New Jersey $118,930
$68,370
+$50,560
New Mexico $68,200
$52,000
+$16,200
New York $111,090
$73,740
+$37,350
North Carolina $114,900
$52,000
+$62,900
Ohio $72,800
$53,330
+$19,470
Oklahoma $111,610
$55,560
+$56,050
Oregon $83,780
$63,410
+$20,370
Pennsylvania $95,640
$61,220
+$34,420
Rhode Island $129,250
$68,190
+$61,060
South Carolina $96,310
$47,790
+$48,520
Tennessee $93,240
$50,510
+$42,730
Texas $103,650
$58,740
+$44,910
Utah $99,840
$52,000
+$47,840
Vermont $74,700
$61,880
+$12,820
Virginia $87,460
$59,580
+$27,880
West Virginia $111,580
$50,840
+$60,740
Wisconsin $126,920
$53,040
+$73,880

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
On average across all states, a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earns more than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants. The national median salary difference is $36,576 (62.1%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn more than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
A Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earns a higher median salary than a Paralegals and Legal Assistants in 37 out of 40 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
The national median salary for a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers is $95,521 per year, compared to $58,945 for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
There are more people employed as Paralegals and Legal Assistants. BLS reports approximately 11,140 Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers positions and 353,430 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Both Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.