How Much Does a Mediator Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$75,530
Mediators in the U.S. earn a median of $75,530 a year, or $36.31 an hour. Half of mediators earn more than $75,530 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $155,440.
Pay percentiles for mediators
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.70 | $47,220 |
| 25th | $27.58 | $57,360 |
| 50th (median) | $36.31 | $75,530 |
| 75th | $51.92 | $108,000 |
| 90th | $74.73 | $155,440 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators (SOC 23-1022). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for mediators
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $162,410 | $78.08 | +115% |
| District of Columbia | $110,300 | $53.03 | +46% |
| New Mexico | $110,180 | $52.97 | +46% |
| California | $97,680 | $46.96 | +29% |
| Colorado | $82,590 | $39.71 | +9% |
| Arizona | $82,150 | $39.49 | +9% |
| Virginia | $79,530 | $38.23 | +5% |
| Alabama | $76,810 | $36.93 | +2% |
| Michigan | $76,270 | $36.67 | +1% |
| North Carolina | $75,320 | $36.21 | 0% |
| United States | $75,530 | $36.31 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many mediators are there?
BLS counts about 9,210 mediators employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators”. The most jobs are in New York (1,050), Pennsylvania (310) and Wisconsin (260).
The mean (average) annual wage is $91,010, higher than the median of $75,530.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,294
- Biweekly
- $2,905
- Weekly
- $1,453
- Daily (8 hours)
- $291
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do mediators make an hour?
The median hourly wage for mediators is $36.31. The middle 50% earn between $27.58 and $51.92 an hour.
Which state pays mediators the most?
Illinois has the highest median wage for mediators at $162,410, +115% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for mediators?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of mediators earn less than $47,220 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.