Administrative Law Judges Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$97,168
- 25th Percentile — Junior$138,738
- 50th Percentile — Median$167,361
- 75th Percentile — Senior$232,268
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$271,052
Half of Administrative Law Judges in California earn more than $167,361. The top 10% make $271,052 or more, while entry-level workers start around $97,168.
Administrative Law Judges in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- California ranks 1st of 51 states for Administrative Law Judges pay, at $178,906 per year (42.0% above the U.S. average of $125,990).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $97,168; the top 10% earn over $271,052.
- Hourly equivalent: $86.01 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among legal jobs in California, Lawyers pays the most ($230,040).
Administrative Law Judges Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Administrative Law Judges here earn $178,906 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $178,906 is roughly equivalent to $125,990 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($171,730), Alaska ($166,307), Indiana ($154,990) are the closest alternatives for Administrative Law Judges weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Legal Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Lawyers $230,040/yr California +28.6% vs this role
- Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners $108,890/yr California 39.1% vs this role
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants $81,320/yr California 54.5% vs this role
- Title Examiners Abstractors and Searchers $76,950/yr California 57.0% vs this role
- Judicial Law Clerks $76,070/yr California 57.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Administrative Law Judges salary in California?
The average Administrative Law Judges salary in California is $178,906 per year (median $167,361), which is 42.0% above the national average of $125,990.
How does California rank for Administrative Law Judges pay?
California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($178,906/yr).
How much do entry-level Administrative Law Judges make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Administrative Law Judges in California earn about $97,168 per year and the 25th percentile is $138,738.
How much do Administrative Law Judges make per hour in California?
About $86.01 per hour, based on the $178,906 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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