National Salary Overview
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Median Salary
$107,585
Average (Mean)
$116,002
Employed Nationwide
12,260
VS
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Median Salary
$62,103
Average (Mean)
$65,956
Employed Nationwide
392,910
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earns $45,481 more (73.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$107,585
$62,103
Average (Mean) Salary
$116,002
$65,956
Total Employment
12,260
392,910
States with Higher Pay
40
1
Salary by State: Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Showing 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers pays more in 40 states; Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 1.
| State | Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $134,810 | $47,260 | +$87,550 | ||
| Arizona | $123,240 | $61,630 | +$61,610 | ||
| Arkansas | $63,660 | $47,420 | +$16,240 | ||
| Colorado | $121,410 | $78,190 | +$43,220 | ||
| Connecticut | $95,310 | $63,820 | +$31,490 | ||
| Delaware | $56,830 | $63,110 | $-6,280 | ||
| District of Columbia | $181,060 | $89,750 | +$91,310 | ||
| Florida | $115,920 | $61,000 | +$54,920 | ||
| Georgia | $67,990 | $62,400 | +$5,590 | ||
| Hawaii | $106,480 | $62,840 | +$43,640 | ||
| Idaho | $65,050 | $49,690 | +$15,360 | ||
| Illinois | $104,990 | $63,670 | +$41,320 | ||
| Indiana | $145,290 | $57,030 | +$88,260 | ||
| Iowa | $123,500 | $54,550 | +$68,950 | ||
| Kansas | $126,570 | $55,000 | +$71,570 | ||
| Louisiana | $126,440 | $60,250 | +$66,190 | ||
| Maine | $75,960 | $62,420 | +$13,540 | ||
| Maryland | $133,460 | $65,640 | +$67,820 | ||
| Massachusetts | $113,750 | $77,640 | +$36,110 | ||
| Michigan | $127,420 | $62,170 | +$65,250 | ||
| Minnesota | $126,360 | $75,570 | +$50,790 | ||
| Mississippi | $66,310 | $46,180 | +$20,130 | ||
| Missouri | $129,670 | $61,410 | +$68,260 | ||
| Montana | $83,910 | $57,290 | +$26,620 | ||
| Nebraska | $117,060 | $63,250 | +$53,810 | ||
| Nevada | $87,240 | $64,680 | +$22,560 | ||
| New Jersey | $128,320 | $71,500 | +$56,820 | ||
| New Mexico | $80,800 | $59,840 | +$20,960 | ||
| New York | $123,170 | $68,410 | +$54,760 | ||
| North Carolina | $129,960 | $57,500 | +$72,460 | ||
| Ohio | $79,000 | $60,420 | +$18,580 | ||
| Oklahoma | $122,930 | $53,170 | +$69,760 | ||
| Oregon | $89,220 | $61,490 | +$27,730 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $98,010 | $63,370 | +$34,640 | ||
| South Carolina | $94,880 | $53,880 | +$41,000 | ||
| Tennessee | $107,740 | $58,820 | +$48,920 | ||
| Texas | $100,400 | $62,310 | +$38,090 | ||
| Utah | $103,380 | $63,220 | +$40,160 | ||
| Washington | $122,390 | $79,400 | +$42,990 | ||
| West Virginia | $78,870 | $59,000 | +$19,870 | ||
| Wisconsin | $132,250 | $58,500 | +$73,750 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $45,481 (73.2%) based on 2025 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 40 out of 41 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Paralegals and Legal Assistants pays more in 1 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 $107,585 per year, compared to $62,103 for a Paralegals and Legal Assistants, according to 2025 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 12,260 Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers positions and 392,910 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.