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Salary comparison

Acupuncturists vs. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers: Who Earns More?

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers out-earn Acupuncturists by $42K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Acupuncturists land at $76,040 and Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers at $117,860. The education gap is real: acupuncturist programs typically require master's degree, while administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officer programs require doctoral or professional degree. Top-paying state for Acupuncturists is Tennessee ($141,430); for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers it's District of Columbia ($181,060).

Acupuncturists
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Median salary
$76,040
$117,860
Hourly rate
$36.56/hr
$56.67/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$38,830
$61,110
Senior level (90th %)
$161,470
$207,480
Education required
Master's degree
Doctoral or professional degree
U.S. employment
7,830
16,370
Job growth (10-year)
6.8%
-0.7%
Category
Healthcare
Legal
Top-paying state
Tennessee
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Acupuncturists median pay.

State
Acupuncturists
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
Tennessee
$141,430
$107,740
New Jersey
$125,260
$128,320
Indiana
$120,490
$145,290
Maryland
$101,650
$133,460
Massachusetts
$93,360
$113,750
Missouri
$89,000
$129,670
New York
$86,120
$123,170
Arizona
$85,300
$123,240
Wisconsin
$84,820
$132,250
Washington
$83,200
$122,390
North Carolina
$76,500
$129,960
Florida
$69,990
$115,920
Minnesota
$69,690
$126,360
Michigan
$65,490
$127,420
Colorado
$56,950
$121,410

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Acupuncturists or Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers?

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn more nationally. The median is $76,040 for Acupuncturists versus $117,860 for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers, a difference of $42K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Acupuncturists or Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers?

Acupuncturists has the better 10-year outlook at 6.8% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Acupuncturists or Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers?

Acupuncturists typically requires master'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 Acupuncturists get paid the most?

Tennessee is the top-paying state for Acupuncturists at $141,430/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Acupuncturists vs. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Tennessee, Acupuncturists earn $141,430 vs. $107,740 for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Acupuncturists salary breakdownView →Full Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Acupuncturists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers by take-home payExplore →How to become a acupuncturistsGuide →How to become a administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officersGuide →