Claims Adjuster
Investigate insurance claims and decide how much should be paid.
- $78,000
- 3–12 months
Business & Office career
Insurance Claims Clerk
Also called: Claims Processor · Policy Processing Clerk · Claims Assistant · Insurance Clerk
What insurance claims clerks do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an insurance claims clerk do?
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. The median pay is $49,230 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -1.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$49,230$23.67/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-1.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year17,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs239,100Employment, 2025
What insurance claims clerks do
Insurance claims clerks keep claims and policies moving. They enter claims, check them for completeness, verify coverage, request missing information, process policy changes and answer questions from customers and agents.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects little change, with many openings from turnover.
Typical duties
- Enter new claims
- Check claims for completeness
- Verify coverage
- Request missing information
- Process policy changes
- Answer customer and agent questions
- Route claims to adjusters
Work environment and schedule
Clerks work in insurance company offices and remotely.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Open the claims queue.
- Enter new claims.
- Verify coverage.
- Request missing documents.
See a full day in the life of an insurance claims clerk →
Insurance Claims Clerk salary
Half of insurance claims clerks earned more than $49,230 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,560 for the lowest 10% to $73,590 for the top 10%.
Full insurance claims clerk pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an insurance claims clerk
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn insurance basics
- Earn the AINS
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an insurance claims clerk →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Claims processing
- Insurance terminology
- Coverage verification
- Data entry
- Policy administration
People skills
- Accuracy
- Empathy
- Organization
- Patience
All insurance claims clerk skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Steady industry
- Remote options
- No degree needed
- Path to adjuster roles
Cons
- Repetitive
- Upset customers
- Volume targets
- Detail-heavy
Certifications and licenses
- AINS: Associate in General Insurance.
- INS courses: The Institutes.
- Medical terminology course: For health claims.
- State adjuster license: Later, for adjusters.
Career path
- Claims Clerk: Entry.
- Claims Specialist: Complex claims.
- Claims Adjuster: Investigate.
- Claims Supervisor: Lead teams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Insurance Claims Clerk training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as take a first notice of loss and process a policy endorsement, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
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Customer Service Representative
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Compare: Insurance Claims Clerk vs. Claims Adjuster · Insurance Claims Clerk vs. Insurance Underwriter · Insurance Claims Clerk vs. Medical Coder · Insurance Claims Clerk vs. Customer Service Rep
Insurance Claims Clerk FAQ
Do claims clerks need a license?
Usually not; adjusters often do.
Can they work remotely?
Many do.
Is it a path to adjuster?
Yes.
How much does an insurance claims clerk make?
The median annual wage for insurance claims clerks was $49,230 ($23.67 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,560 and the highest 10% earned more than $73,590.
How long does it take to become an insurance claims clerk?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be an insurance claims clerk?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More insurance claims clerk questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-9041 (Insurance claims and policy processing clerks).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Insurance claims and policy processing clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.