Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs. Air Traffic Controllers: Who Earns More?
Air Traffic Controllers out-earn Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers by $30K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers land at $117,860 and Air Traffic Controllers at $148,080. The education gap is real: administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officer programs typically require doctoral or professional degree, while air traffic controller programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers is District of Columbia ($181,060); for Air Traffic Controllers it's Virginia ($191,820).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers or Air Traffic Controllers?
Air Traffic Controllers earn more nationally. The median is $117,860 for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers versus $148,080 for Air Traffic Controllers, a difference of $30K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers or Air Traffic Controllers?
Air Traffic Controllers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -0.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers or Air Traffic Controllers?
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers typically requires doctoral or professional degree. Air Traffic Controllers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers at $181,060/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers vs. Air Traffic Controllers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Indiana, Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earn $145,290 vs. $158,810 for Air Traffic Controllers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.