20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
Most days mix scheduled sessions and paperwork. You’ll run initial meetings with disputants, hold private hearings to clarify issues, and interview both parties. Expect several short mediation sessions and one longer intake or settlement signing each day.
You’ll also spend blocks of time evaluating documents, preparing written opinions or settlement agreements in Microsoft Word, and sending calendars or invites from Microsoft Outlook. Court appearances or public presentations can fill a morning or afternoon once or twice weekly.
You’ll use Microsoft Outlook for scheduling and email, Microsoft Word to draft settlement agreements and written opinions, and Microsoft PowerPoint for community presentations. A web browser and Microsoft SharePoint are common for accessing case files or agency templates.
If you work with a court or agency, their case management system may link to SharePoint. Learning basic folder organization and version control in Word/SharePoint saves a lot of time.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 9,210 employed mediators in 2025, with a median annual wage of $75,530. The lowest tenth earned about $47,220, and the top tenth earned about $155,440.
Pay varies by employer: courts or government agencies often pay more stable salaries; private mediators earn more for complex commercial or environmental cases but income can be irregular.
A mediator helps parties find a mutually acceptable agreement; they don’t impose decisions. Unlike a judge, mediators don’t rule on admissibility, except in administrative mediations where they may recommend acceptance or rejection of offers.
An arbitrator issues a binding decision like a judge. Lawyers represent one party’s legal interests; mediators stay neutral and apply conflict management and negotiation skills to guide parties toward agreement.
AI can draft or summarize documents quickly, but don’t rely on it for legal conclusions. Use AI to create a first draft of a settlement agreement in Word or to summarize interview notes, then carefully check facts, legal citations, and confidentiality rules yourself.
Never upload confidential case documents to public AI services. If your organization allows AI, use secure, approved tools and store final documents in SharePoint with access controls.
Top skills are active listening, neutral facilitation, and clear writing. You’ll interview parties, evaluate evidence and documents, and prepare written opinions or settlement agreements, so concise, plain-language writing in Word matters.
You also need procedural knowledge: applying relevant laws or agency policies, managing hearings, and organizing meetings in Outlook. Comfort with public speaking helps for presentations and participating in court proceedings.