Career comparison
Claims Adjuster vs. Roofer
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. $55,440), while claims adjusters usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Claims adjusters investigate insurance claims and decide how much should be paid. Roofers install, repair and replace the roofs that keep buildings dry and protected.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Claims Adjuster | Roofer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,000 ($37.50/hr) | $55,440 ($26.65/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $48,850 – $117,040 | $37,460 – $81,720 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -5.5% (a projected decline) | +5.3% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 20,900 | 12,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–12 months | 3–12 months on the job |
| Key credential | State adjuster license | OSHA 10-Hour Construction |
| Work setting | Adjusters work in offices, from home and in the field at homes, businesses and accident scenes. | Roofers work outdoors on residential and commercial roofs in heat, cold and wind. |
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
Roofer
- Tear off old roofing and inspect the roof deck
- Replace damaged sheathing and install underlayment
- Install flashing around chimneys, vents and valleys
- Lay shingles, metal panels, tile or membrane roofing
- Seal seams and penetrations to prevent leaks
How they’re similar
They draw on different strengths, which makes the choice clearer. They sit in different fields, business & office and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as empathy and teamwork.
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 roofer if…
- I’m comfortable working on rooftops and ladders
- I like hard physical work outdoors
- I don’t mind heat and changing weather
Still torn? Take the Claims Adjuster fit quiz and the Roofer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, claims adjuster or roofer?
Claims Adjusters earn more at the median: $78,000 versus $55,440 for roofers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Claims Adjusters typically train faster (3–12 months) than roofers (3–12 months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects roofers to grow +5.3% from 2025–35, compared with -5.5% for claims adjusters.