How much does a hearing officer make?
Answer: A typical hearing officer in the United States makes $117,860 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 16,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Hearing officer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $61,110 | $117,860 | $207,480 | about 16,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $123,170 | about 1,000 |
| Florida | $115,920 | about 570 |
| Illinois | $104,990 | about 550 |
| Texas | $100,400 | about 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,010 | about 800 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay differs by government employer and location: federal, state, and local jobs have different pay systems, and federal ALJs get locality pay. Relevant legal experience, time in federal service, and management duties can also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a hearing officer do?
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's a typical day like?
They study case files and laws, then run a hearing, listening to people, checking evidence, and keeping the process fair. Afterward, they weigh the facts, write a decision, and explain how someone can appeal.
How to get this job
Earn a bachelor’s degree and a J.D., pass a state bar exam, then practice law for years; five or more years is typical. Federal ALJs need a law license, but hiring rules vary, and some hearing-officer jobs differ.
Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
Did you know?
Social Security handles more than half a million hearing and appeal outcomes each year.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Legal jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/judges-and-hearing-officers.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/23-1021.00
- www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/admin
- www.acus.gov/document/agency-recruitment-and-selection-administrative-law-judges
- www.ssa.gov/appeals
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY