Career Trends: Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.

Many arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators work for state or local governments or in the legal services industry.

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators typically learn their skills through a combination of education, training, and work experience.

Employment of arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Mediations and arbitrations are typically faster and less costly than litigation. However, budget constraints at the local and state level may limit employment growth.

This occupation supported 8,400 jobs in 2012 and 8,400 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 0.0%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 10.7% in 2022 to 9,300 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 8,500, compared with an observed value of 8,400, 1.2% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 9.5% in 2024 to 9,200 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 9,400 jobs for 2024, 2.2% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.