Overview
SourcedReview 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.
O*NET definition of Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (SOC 13-1031) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (SOC 13-1031) naming each level as required to be hired, 40 respondents, O*NET survey August 2022. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedA 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.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 13-1031
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Considerable Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialFederal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a federal general schedule; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- GS/GL-5/7/9 entry (Pathways / recent grad; some law-enforcement jobs start higher, e.g. FBI special agents at GL-10)
- Career-ladder promotions to full-performance level (GS-9/11/12/13)
- GS-14/15 (competitive)
- Senior Executive Service
- within-grade steps 1–10 (steps 2–4 yearly, 5–7 every 2 yrs, 8–10 every 3 yrs)
- special rates: law-enforcement special base rates (GS-3–10); LEAP 25% premium for criminal investigators only
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 46,740 | $67,290 | $78,290 | $93,660 | $109,300 | $123,970 |
| State | 10,170 | $48,730 | $58,180 | $74,290 | $88,860 | $100,870 |
| Local | 2,920 | $56,170 | $65,420 | $81,250 | $99,650 | $121,550 |
| All government | 59,830 | $61,800 | $74,290 | $90,660 | $106,330 | $121,470 |
| Private sector | 264,400 | $48,010 | $59,990 | $76,210 | $96,290 | $111,780 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2022). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.4.8
- Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations.4.8
- Pay and process claims within designated authority level.4.8
- 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.4.7
- 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.4.7
- Review police reports, medical treatment records, medical bills, or physical property damage to determine the extent of liability.4.7
- Investigate and assess damage to property and create or review property damage estimates.4.6
- Interview or correspond with agents and claimants to correct errors or omissions and to investigate questionable claims.4.6
- Interview or correspond with claimants, witnesses, police, physicians, or other relevant parties to determine claim settlement, denial, or review.4.6
- Enter claim payments, reserves and new claims on computer system, inputting concise yet sufficient file documentation.4.6
The 10 most important of 21 core tasks for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2022.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedBy state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (SOC 13-1031) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 360 | $70,240 | $101,150 | $144,680 |
| New Jersey | 9,650 | $61,780 | $95,690 | $129,720 |
| Maryland | Not published | $53,190 | $95,560 | $135,040 |
| California | 24,290 | $60,020 | $91,790 | $124,990 |
| Connecticut | 3,190 | $63,090 | $88,330 | $129,740 |
| Alaska | 220 | $62,200 | $87,670 | $132,200 |
| New York | 17,330 | $51,560 | $87,130 | $130,370 |
| Rhode Island | 1,150 | $60,290 | $86,520 | $130,480 |
| Vermont | 280 | $62,360 | $83,970 | $118,500 |
| New Hampshire | 880 | $59,580 | $83,890 | $120,430 |
| Massachusetts | 5,070 | $58,650 | $83,740 | $123,260 |
| Oregon | 2,950 | $56,320 | $81,640 | $117,380 |
| Washington | 6,180 | $50,080 | $80,700 | $122,840 |
| Alabama | 4,040 | $49,190 | $79,710 | $106,370 |
| Hawaii | 900 | $51,830 | $79,080 | $106,690 |
| South Dakota | 1,030 | $58,160 | $78,900 | $104,190 |
| Michigan | 6,640 | $48,210 | $78,850 | $109,000 |
| Texas | 29,220 | $46,560 | $78,800 | $116,610 |
| Maine | 1,650 | $60,180 | $78,590 | $104,490 |
| Minnesota | 5,530 | $58,110 | $78,350 | $106,270 |
| Wisconsin | 8,760 | $50,570 | $78,160 | $103,620 |
| Tennessee | 6,390 | $47,310 | $78,010 | $108,890 |
| Colorado | 5,680 | $59,550 | $77,620 | $123,360 |
| Idaho | 1,320 | $49,940 | $77,340 | $117,100 |
| Kansas | 4,570 | $48,980 | $77,290 | $112,710 |
| Pennsylvania | 13,270 | $46,360 | $77,290 | $119,980 |
| Mississippi | Not published | $48,680 | $77,100 | $100,850 |
| Illinois | 14,210 | $48,620 | $77,010 | $118,810 |
| Florida | 28,100 | $47,030 | $76,920 | $105,150 |
| Wyoming | 180 | $48,790 | $76,400 | $126,440 |
| Missouri | 6,200 | $48,900 | $75,840 | $111,070 |
| Nebraska | 3,160 | $50,170 | $75,830 | $102,250 |
| South Carolina | 4,130 | $46,640 | $75,370 | $104,050 |
| North Carolina | 9,880 | $48,200 | $75,310 | $108,630 |
| Virginia | 7,860 | $49,140 | $74,240 | $109,970 |
| Arkansas | 2,660 | $46,490 | $73,920 | $103,420 |
| Kentucky | 3,670 | $52,600 | $73,840 | $100,400 |
| Indiana | 4,340 | $48,660 | $73,560 | $101,270 |
| Georgia | Not published | $51,000 | $73,320 | $103,080 |
| Iowa | 3,930 | $50,360 | $72,640 | $102,900 |
| Delaware | Not published | $51,430 | $72,370 | $116,710 |
| Oklahoma | 4,140 | $47,440 | $71,260 | $100,240 |
| Utah | 2,440 | $46,120 | $69,000 | $100,970 |
| Ohio | 13,650 | $47,950 | $67,990 | $104,870 |
| New Mexico | 1,280 | $40,620 | $67,930 | $101,520 |
| West Virginia | 1,340 | $45,650 | $67,290 | $106,330 |
| North Dakota | 750 | $47,960 | $65,460 | $97,470 |
| Louisiana | 3,340 | $42,160 | $65,220 | $102,240 |
| Arizona | 13,830 | $47,990 | $65,110 | $100,590 |
| Montana | 1,230 | $46,080 | $63,860 | $101,390 |
| Nevada | Not published | $43,800 | $62,730 | $98,920 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 14 Exam practiceNot yet collectedNamed entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules