Judge
Also known as: investigating magistrate, inquisitorial magistrate, recorder, adjudicator, circuit judge, deputy circuit judge
About this occupation
Judges preside over, review and handle court cases, hearings, appeals and trials. They ensure that court procedures conform to conventional legal processes and review evidence and juries. Judges preside over cases involving such areas as crime, family issues, civil law, small claims and juvenile offenses.
Essential skills and knowledge
- interpret law
- court procedures
- maintain court order
- supervise court hearings
- observe confidentiality
- show impartiality
- hear legal arguments
- civil law
- legal terminology
- show responsibility
- civil process order
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers (O*NET 23-1021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Monitor and direct the activities of trials and hearings to ensure that they are conducted fairly and that courts administer justice while safeguarding the legal rights of all involved parties.
- Prepare written opinions and decisions.
- Conduct hearings to review and decide claims regarding issues, such as social program eligibility, environmental protection, or enforcement of health and safety regulations.
- Rule on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence.
- Research and analyze laws, regulations, policies, and precedent decisions to prepare for hearings and to determine conclusions.
- Determine existence and amount of liability according to current laws, administrative and judicial precedents, and available evidence.
- Typical education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking
US median pay: US$117,860 a year (2025), 16,370 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageExtremely important (4.9)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentExtremely important (4.9)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Doctoral Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
- Judicial Law Clerks
- Lawyers
- Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Labor Relations Specialists
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
- Chief Executives
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.