Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation through dialogue to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.
Is arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators a good career?
It scores 19/100 and ranks #326 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($75,530)
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (less than 5 years)
What arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators earn between $57,360 and $108,000 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow as fast as average through 2034.
Education
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators typically need at least a bachelor's degree at the entry level. Few candidates for these jobs receive a degree specific to the field of arbitration, mediation, or conflict resolution. Rather, many positions require education appropriate to the applicant’s field of expertise. Some positions require candidates to have a law degree, a master’s in business administration, or another type of advanced degree.
Training
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators typically shadow or assist an experienced supervisor. They may support a certain number of cases before working independently.
Training for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is available from a variety of organizations, such as postsecondary schools, government agencies, and community mediation centers. Opportunities may include formal internships or volunteer positions.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
There is no national license for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators. However, some states require arbitrators and mediators to become certified to work on certain types of cases. Qualifications, standards, and the number of training hours required vary by state or by court.
Some states require licenses appropriate to the applicant’s field of expertise. For example, some courts may require applicants to be licensed attorneys or certified public accountants.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators evaluate facts from large amounts of complex information and apply relevant rules of law.
Communication skills. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators must be able to clearly present and explain information, both orally and in writing, to opposing parties to settle disputes.
Critical-thinking skills. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators must remain neutral and not let their personal assumptions interfere with proceedings.
Decision-making skills. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators must be able to weigh facts, apply the law or rules, and make a decision relatively quickly.
Detail oriented. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators must pay close attention to what is being said and must be precise in explaining their recommendations or decisions.
Interpersonal skills. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators deal with disputing parties and must be able to facilitate discussion in a calm and respectful way.
Related occupations
How much do arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators make?
The national median wage is $75,530 a year, with the middle half earning between $57,360 and $108,000 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 19 of 100 and ranks #326 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +4.3% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a arbitrators, mediators, and conciliator?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with less than 5 years.
Where do arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators earn the most?
Among states, Illinois pays the highest median ($162,410). Local pay for every state and metro is below.