Business & Office career

Claims Adjuster

Also called: Insurance Adjuster · Claims Examiner · Independent Adjuster · Field Adjuster

What claims adjusters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a claims adjuster do?

Claims adjusters, examiners and investigators evaluate insurance claims, inspect damage, interview people, review policies and determine coverage and settlement amounts. The median pay is $78,000 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–12 months, and employment is projected to grow -5.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $78,000
    $37.50/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -5.5%
    2025–35, a projected decline
  • Openings per year
    20,900
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    3–12 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    376,100
    Employment, 2025

What claims adjusters do

When a home is damaged, a car is in an accident or someone is injured, claims adjusters figure out what the insurance policy covers and how much to pay. They inspect damage, take photos and measurements, interview claimants and witnesses, review policies, estimate repair costs, negotiate settlements and watch for fraud. Some work in the field, others at desks, and catastrophe adjusters travel to disaster areas.

Most states require adjusters to be licensed, usually after a pre-licensing course and exam. Many employers hire people with a high school diploma or degree and train them. Software such as Xactimate is central to property work.

Typical duties

  • Review insurance policies and coverage
  • Inspect property or vehicle damage
  • Interview claimants, witnesses and experts
  • Estimate repair or replacement costs
  • Negotiate and approve settlements
  • Investigate possible fraud
  • Document claims and communicate decisions

Work environment and schedule

Adjusters work in offices, from home and in the field at homes, businesses and accident scenes. Field adjusters climb ladders, crawl into attics and drive a lot.

Schedule: Most work full-time; catastrophe adjusters work long hours and travel for weeks after disasters.

A day in the life

  1. Review new claims assigned overnight and call policyholders.
  2. Inspect hail damage on a roof, taking photos and measurements.
  3. Inspect water damage in a kitchen and identify the source.
  4. Write estimates in Xactimate.

See a full day in the life of a claims adjuster →

Claims Adjuster salary

Half of claims adjusters earned more than $78,000 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,850 for the lowest 10% to $117,040 for the top 10%.

Full claims adjuster pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a claims adjuster

  1. Choose a path
  2. Get licensed
  3. Learn estimating software
  4. Get hired
  5. Advance

A high school diploma is the minimum, and many employers prefer a degree. Most states require an adjuster license, earned through pre-licensing coursework and an exam. Employers provide extensive on-the-job training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a claims adjuster →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Policy interpretation
  • Damage estimating
  • Xactimate
  • Investigation and interviewing
  • Negotiation

People skills

  • Empathy
  • Objectivity
  • Communication
  • Time management

All claims adjuster skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Good pay with training on the job
  • Mix of fieldwork and desk work
  • Catastrophe work can pay very well
  • Remote work options for desk roles

Cons

  • Upset policyholders
  • Heavy caseloads
  • Travel and long hours after disasters
  • Climbing roofs and ladders

Certifications and licenses

  • State adjuster license: Required in most states to adjust claims.
  • Xactimate certification: Certification in property estimating software.
  • Associate in Claims (AIC): A professional designation from The Institutes.
  • HAAG Certified Inspector: Roof and damage inspection credential.

Career path

  1. Claims Trainee: Learn policies and estimating.
  2. Claims Adjuster: Handle claims independently.
  3. Senior or Complex Claims Adjuster: Handle large or complex losses.
  4. Claims Supervisor or Manager: Lead teams of adjusters.

Learn the job before day one

Our Claims Adjuster training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as inspect a roof for hail damage and write a property damage estimate, safety and how to land your first job.

View Claims Adjuster trainingIs this career right for me?

Insurance Agent

Help people and businesses protect what matters with the right insurance.

  • $62,280
  • 2–8 weeks for licensing

Auto Body Technician

Repair and restore vehicles after collisions, from dents and frames to paint.

  • $54,890
  • 6 months–2 years

Roofer

Install, repair and replace the roofs that keep buildings dry and protected.

  • $55,440
  • 3–12 months on the job

Compare: Claims Adjuster vs. Insurance Agent · Claims Adjuster vs. Building Inspector · Claims Adjuster vs. Auto Body Tech · Claims Adjuster vs. Roofer

Claims Adjuster FAQ

Do claims adjusters need a license?

Most states require one.

What is a catastrophe adjuster?

An adjuster who handles claims after hurricanes, storms and other disasters.

Can adjusters work remotely?

Desk adjusters often can; field adjusters travel.

How much does a claims adjuster make?

The median annual wage for claims adjusters was $78,000 ($37.50 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,850 and the highest 10% earned more than $117,040.

How long does it take to become a claims adjuster?

Most people need about 3–12 months of training. A high school diploma is the minimum, and many employers prefer a degree. Most states require an adjuster license, earned through pre-licensing coursework and an exam. Employers provide extensive on-the-job training.

Do you need a degree to be a claims adjuster?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More claims adjuster questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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