Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator, although some positions need a bachelor’s degree or insurance-related work experience. Auto damage appraisers typically have either a postsecondary nondegree award or work experience in identifying and estimating the cost of automotive repair. PayThe median annual wage for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators was $78,000 in May 2025.The median annual wage for insurance appraisers, auto damage was $78,240 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to decline 6 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 21,600 openings for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators was $78,000 in May 2025.The median annual wage for insurance appraisers, auto damage was $78,240 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to decline 6 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 21,600 openings for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to decline 6 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 21,600 openings for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims.
Work Environment
Most claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators work full time. They often work outside the office, inspecting properties on which insurance claims have been made, such as damaged automobiles and buildings.
How to Become a Claims Adjuster, Appraiser, Examiner, or Investigator
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator, although some positions need a bachelor’s degree or insurance-related work experience. Auto damage appraisers typically have either a postsecondary nondegree award or work experience in identifying and estimating the cost of automotive repair.
Pay
The median annual wage for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators was $78,000 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for insurance appraisers, auto damage was $78,240 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to decline 6 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 21,600 openings for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators work full time. They often work outside the office, inspecting properties on which insurance claims have been made, such as damaged automobiles and buildings.
How to Become a Claims Adjuster, Appraiser, Examiner, or Investigator
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator, although some positions need a bachelor’s degree or insurance-related work experience. Auto damage appraisers typically have either a postsecondary nondegree award or work experience in identifying and estimating the cost of automotive repair.
Pay
The median annual wage for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators was $78,000 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for insurance appraisers, auto damage was $78,240 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to decline 6 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 21,600 openings for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.