📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Administrative Law Judge Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$102,280
per year
Median
$97,280
per year
Hourly
$49.17
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$65,030
25th Percentile — Junior$84,030
50th Percentile — Median$97,280
75th Percentile — Senior$126,780
90th Percentile — Top Earners$142,858
💡 The top 10% of Administrative Law Judges earn $142,858 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $65,030, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$92.6k
2021
$94.5k
2022
$96.4k
2023
$98.3k
2024
$100.3k
2025
$102.3k
2026
📈 Administrative Law Judge salaries have grown 2.0% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $9,642.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $158,534 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $155,466 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $145,238 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $141,146 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $135,010 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $132,964 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $130,918 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $127,850 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $124,782 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $117,622 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $117,622 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $116,599 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $114,554 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $112,508 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $112,508 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $110,462 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $107,394 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $107,394 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $104,326 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $104,326 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $102,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $102,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $101,257 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $101,257 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $100,234 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $97,166 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $97,166 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $95,120 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $95,120 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $95,120 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $94,098 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $94,098 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $93,075 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $92,052 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $90,006 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $90,006 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $90,006 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $90,006 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $90,006 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $90,006 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $88,984 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $88,984 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $88,984 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $87,961 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $86,938 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $86,938 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $85,915 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $84,892 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $84,892 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $81,824 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $79,778 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Administrative Law Judge Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Administrative Law Judge's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Administrative Law Judges typically earn $65,030–$84,030 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $126,780–$142,858 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Administrative Law Judge role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.0% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Legal sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Administrative Law Judge?The average salary for a Administrative Law Judge in the United States is $102,280 per year, with a median of $97,280.
-
What is the starting salary for a Administrative Law Judge?Entry-level Administrative Law Judges typically earn between $65,030 and $84,030 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Administrative Law Judges the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Administrative Law Judges the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Administrative Law Judge make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $102,280, a Administrative Law Judge earns approximately $49.17 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Administrative Law Judge a good career in 2026?Yes — the Administrative Law Judge role has medium demand with 2.0% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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