Lawyers, Judges, and Related Workers

How to become an Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator

Official title: Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Also called: Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator (ADR Coordinator), Arbiter, Arbitrator, Divorce Mediator, Family Mediator, Federal Mediator, Labor Arbitrator, Labor Mediator, Mediator, Public Employment Mediator

Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.

Main 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.
Determine extent of liability according to evidence, laws, or administrative or judicial precedents.
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.
Use mediation techniques to facilitate communication between disputants, to further parties' understanding of different perspectives, and to guide parties toward mutual agreement.
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.

How to become one

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.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Law & Justice degrees, Offered by 29 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $75,530 a year The middle half earn $57,360 to $108,000.
About 10,500 people work in this job now, and about 11,000 are projected by 2035. (+4.7%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator?

How much does an Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $75,530 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $57,360 to $108,000.

Is an Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 10,500 to about 11,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator?

Usually. 98% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.