Career comparison
Claims Adjuster vs. Insurance Claims Clerk
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Claims adjusters earn more at the median ($78,000 vs. $49,230), while insurance claims clerks usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Claims adjusters investigate insurance claims and decide how much should be paid. Insurance claims clerks process insurance claims and policy changes so customers get paid and covered.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Claims Adjuster | Insurance Claims Clerk | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,000 ($37.50/hr) | $49,230 ($23.67/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $48,850 – $117,040 | $37,560 – $73,590 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.5% (a projected decline) | -1.9% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 20,900 | 17,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–12 months | A few months on the job |
| Key credential | State adjuster license | AINS |
| Work setting | Adjusters work in offices, from home and in the field at homes, businesses and accident scenes. | Clerks work in insurance company offices and remotely.. |
What each job does
Claims Adjuster
- Review insurance policies and coverage
- Inspect property or vehicle damage
- Interview claimants, witnesses and experts
- Estimate repair or replacement costs
- Negotiate and approve settlements
Insurance Claims Clerk
- Enter new claims
- Check claims for completeness
- Verify coverage
- Request missing information
- Process policy changes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with information and remote-friendly work. Both are part of the business & office field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose claims adjuster if…
- I like investigating and solving problems
- I can stay fair when people are upset
- I’m comfortable on ladders and roofs
Choose insurance claims clerk if…
- I’m accurate
- I like steady work
- I’m patient with customers
Still torn? Take the Claims Adjuster fit quiz and the Insurance Claims Clerk fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, claims adjuster or insurance claims clerk?
Claims Adjusters earn more at the median: $78,000 versus $49,230 for insurance claims clerks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Insurance Claims Clerks typically train faster (A few months on the job) than claims adjusters (3–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects insurance claims clerks to grow -1.9% from 2025–35, compared with -5.5% for claims adjusters.