Accountants and Auditors vs. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers: Who Earns More?
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers out-earn Accountants and Auditors by $34K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Accountants and Auditors land at $83,680 and Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers at $117,860. The education gap is real: accountants and auditor programs typically require bachelor's degree, while administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officer programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Accountants and Auditors is District of Columbia ($111,530); for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers it's District of Columbia ($181,060).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Accountants and Auditors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Accountants and Auditors or Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers?
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn more nationally. The median is $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors versus $117,860 for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers, a difference of $34K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Accountants and Auditors or Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers?
Accountants and Auditors has the better 10-year outlook at 4.6% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Accountants and Auditors or Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers?
Accountants and Auditors typically requires bachelor's degree. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers requires doctoral or professional degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Accountants and Auditors get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Accountants and Auditors at $111,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Accountants and Auditors vs. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Accountants and Auditors earn $111,530 vs. $181,060 for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.