Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators: Career Profile
Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.
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What Do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Do?
The core tasks performed by claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators span:
- Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.
- Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations.
- Pay and process claims within designated authority level.
- Investigate, evaluate, and settle claims, applying technical knowledge and human relations skills to effect fair and prompt disposal of cases and to contribute to a reduced loss ratio.
- Verify and analyze data used in settling claims to ensure that claims are valid and that settlements are made according to company practices and procedures.
- Review police reports, medical treatment records, medical bills, or physical property damage to determine the extent of liability.
- Investigate and assess damage to property and create or review property damage estimates.
- Interview or correspond with agents and claimants to correct errors or omissions and to investigate questionable claims.
What Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Need to Know
Effective claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Accident Investigator
- Adjuster
- Adjustment Clerk
- Auto Claims Adjuster (Automotive Claims Adjuster)
- Auto Damage Claims Adjuster (Automotive Damage Claims Adjuster)
- Benefit Authorizer
- Bodily Injury Claims Adjuster
- Bodily Injury Claims Examiner
Job Outlook
There are roughly 630,099 claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +12.2% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $46,655 |
| Hourly median | $22.43 |
| 10th percentile | $26,255 |
| 25th percentile | $36,455 |
| 75th percentile | $56,855 |
| 90th percentile | $67,055 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $92,660 |
| California | $90,900 |
| District of Columbia | $88,920 |
| Alaska | $86,490 |
| New Jersey | $85,960 |
| Connecticut | $84,470 |
| Massachusetts | $84,340 |
| Rhode Island | $83,480 |
| New York | $82,140 |
| New Hampshire | $81,500 |
| Texas | $80,220 |
| Washington | $80,100 |
| Alabama | $80,060 |
| Hawaii | $79,370 |
| Oregon | $79,350 |
| Delaware | $79,220 |
| Wyoming | $78,900 |
| Vermont | $78,140 |
| Maine | $78,080 |
| Minnesota | $78,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,750 |
| Michigan | $77,380 |
| Virginia | $77,000 |
| Wisconsin | $76,660 |
| Kansas | $76,660 |
| Missouri | $76,220 |
| Mississippi | $75,180 |
| Colorado | $75,120 |
| Arkansas | $75,030 |
| Tennessee | $74,960 |
| South Carolina | $74,940 |
| North Carolina | $74,830 |
| Illinois | $74,410 |
| South Dakota | $73,810 |
| Kentucky | $71,770 |
| Georgia | $71,750 |
| Louisiana | $69,370 |
| Iowa | $68,740 |
| Idaho | $68,300 |
| Nebraska | $68,020 |
| Oklahoma | $67,950 |
| Florida | $66,860 |
| Utah | $66,240 |
| New Mexico | $66,120 |
| West Virginia | $66,020 |
| Indiana | $64,540 |
| Nevada | $63,290 |
| Montana | $63,240 |
| Arizona | $63,240 |
| Ohio | $60,250 |
| North Dakota | $59,950 |
| Virgin Islands | $54,170 |
| Guam | $51,500 |
| Puerto Rico | $44,080 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $85,762 | 11.6% | 0.71 |
| New England | $83,030 | 4.0% | 0.92 |
| Middle Atlantic | $82,888 | 14.7% | 0.99 |
| Plains States | $73,703 | 7.8% | 1.19 |
| Southwest | $73,208 | 15.2% | 1.43 |
| Southeast | $71,608 | 27.2% | 1.19 |
| Rocky Mountains | $71,566 | 3.6% | 0.98 |
| Great Lakes | $69,220 | 14.8% | 1.18 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | CA | $105,350 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | CA | $105,350 | 130 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $100,980 | 270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $100,260 | 3,040 |
| Chico, CA | CA | $98,920 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $98,590 | 210 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | MA | $98,240 | 40 |
| Reading, PA | PA | $97,930 | 180 |
Top Industries Employing Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Most claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | 224,390 | $75,830 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5,040 | $58,340 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 5,000 | $65,050 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3,940 | $58,380 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,340 | $56,770 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 990 | $82,670 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 820 | $58,150 |
| Information | 370 | $44,080 |
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Internet browser software: Apple Safari (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Mozilla Firefox (hot technology)
- Video conferencing software: Zoom (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Xactware Xactimate (in demand)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators reflects the following characteristics:
- Telephone Conversations
- Written Letters and Memos
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Contact With Others
Getting Started in This Career
Most claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Compensation and Benefits Managers (Supplemental)
- Compliance Officers (Primary-Long)
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists (Primary-Long)
- Accountants and Auditors (Supplemental)
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate (Primary-Long)
- Insurance Underwriters (Primary-Short)
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents (Primary-Short)
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts (Primary-Long)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators often complete programs in:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
1 programs across 1 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 13-1031.00 (Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators).
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