Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators earn a median of $75,530 per year ($36.31/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.7% through 2035, with about 300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 23-1022
- Legal
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $75,530a year, or $36.31/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $155K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 30010,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202510.5K
- Projected 203511K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 10.5K Projected 2035 11K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school5.3%
- Bachelor's15.8%
- Post-bacc certificate10.5%
- Master's10.5%
- Post-master’s certificate10.5%
- Professional degree36.8%
Highest education held by arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators Segment Value Less than high school 5.3% Bachelor's 15.8% Post-bacc certificate 10.5% Master's 10.5% Post-master’s certificate 10.5% Professional degree 36.8%
Also advertised as: Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator (ADR Coordinator), Arbiter, Arbitrator, Divorce Mediator, Family Mediator, Federal Mediator.
Pay
How much do Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators make?
Every arbitrator, mediator, and conciliator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$75,530
Middle half earn $57,360 to $108,000
- 10th
- $47,220
- 25th
- $57,360
- 75th
- $108,000
- 90th
- $155,440
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,220 |
| 25th | $57,360 |
| Median | $75,530 |
| 75th | $108,000 |
| 90th | $155,440 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $75,530
- Median hourly wage
- $36.31/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $91,010
- People employed
- 9,210
Versus all US occupations
At $75,530, Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators earn 48% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $24,550 a year.
Versus legal occupations
Inside the Legal group, where the middle occupation pays $159,670, this is 53% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $155,440 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,220, a gap of 3.3×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 51% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Illinois pays the most at $162,410, and still leads at $162,478 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Illinois | $162,410 | $162,478 | 80 |
| 2District of Columbia | $110,300 | $100,363 | 150 |
| 3New Mexico | $110,180 | $119,486 | 40 |
| 4California | $97,680 | $88,223 | N/A |
| 5Colorado | $82,590 | $80,144 | 30 |
| 6Arizona | $82,150 | $81,598 | 160 |
| 7Virginia | $79,530 | $78,662 | 120 |
| 8Alabama | $76,810 | $86,475 | 40 |
| 9Michigan | $76,270 | $79,269 | 190 |
| 10North Carolina | $75,320 | $79,851 | 100 |
Job outlook
Is Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | +4.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators to change 4.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 2.9% of the 10,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The alternative methods of resolving disputes that these workers provide often are quicker and less expensive than trials and litigation. In addition, many contracts, such as those for employment and real estate, include clauses requiring mediation or arbitration to resolve complaints and disputes. These factors should help to support demand for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators.
However, because alternative dispute resolution in government is contingent on available funds, state and local government budgets may affect public sector employment of arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators.
Getting in
How to become an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators typically need at least a bachelor's degree and related experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills through a combination of education, training, and work experience.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators.
- First Professional Degree36.8%
- Bachelor's Degree15.8%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10.5%
- Master's Degree10.5%
- Post-Master's Certificate10.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| First Professional Degree | 36.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 15.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10.5% |
| Master's Degree | 10.5% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 10.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator do?
Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. They resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of the parties involved.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.
- Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.
- Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.
- Rule on exceptions, motions, or admissibility of evidence.
- Confer with disputants to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns, and develop an understanding of their respective needs and interests.
- Conduct initial meetings with disputants to outline the arbitration process, settle procedural matters, such as fees, or determine details, such as witness numbers or time requirements.
- Use mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives, and to guide parties toward mutual agreement.
- Issue subpoenas or administer oaths to prepare for formal hearings.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Legal services33%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals15%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals13%
- Self-employed workers9%
- Other professional, scientific, and technical services9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Legal services | 33% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 15% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 13% |
| Self-employed workers | 9% |
| Other professional, scientific, and technical services | 9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.4
- Writing4.3
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies2.9
- Monitoring2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.4 |
| Writing | 4.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Negotiation4.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.8
- Persuasion3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Coordination3.1
- Service Orientation3.0
- Instructing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Negotiation | 4.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 |
| Persuasion | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising4.6
- Conventional4.3
- Social4.2
- Investigative3.6
- Artistic2.3
- Realistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
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Median annual pay, with arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators highlighted
- Lawyer$159,670
- BigLaw Equity Partner$159,670
- Non-Equity Partner$159,670
- BigLaw Senior Associate$159,670
- Public Company General Counsel$159,670
- Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney$159,670
- Judge$153,990
- Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator$75,530
- Paralegal$62,890
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Lawyer | $159,670 |
| BigLaw Equity Partner | $159,670 |
| Non-Equity Partner | $159,670 |
| BigLaw Senior Associate | $159,670 |
| Public Company General Counsel | $159,670 |
| Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney | $159,670 |
| Judge | $153,990 |
| Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator | $75,530 |
| Paralegal | $62,890 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator appears on
Questions
Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator: frequently asked questions
How much do Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators make?
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators earn a median of $75,530 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 48% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $36.31/hr. The middle half earn between $57,360 and $108,000. The top 10% earn $155,440 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 36.8% hold first professional degree.
Is Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator do?
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. A core O*NET task: prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases. Employers most often ask for Customer relationship management CRM software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators the most?
The highest state medians for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators are Illinois ($162,410), District of Columbia ($110,300), New Mexico ($110,180) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Arbitrator, Mediator, and Conciliator?
O*NET scores Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ENFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.