Mediators & Arbitrators vs Judges
Median pay is about $78k higher for Judges. The usual entry education is master's for Mediators & Arbitrators and doctoral (JD) plus election or appointment for Judges.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Mediators & Arbitrators | Judges |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $75,530 | $153,990, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $57,360 | $85,710, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $108,000 | $194,950, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +4.7% Growing fast, higher | +2.8% Growing |
| Openings a year | 300 | 800 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Master's | Doctoral (JD) plus election or appointment |
| Difficulty modeled | 3.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Very high | Low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 95th pct | 80th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: active listening, writing, reading comprehension, speaking, critical thinking, active learning.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.