What Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators this way: "Review 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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage"; "Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations"; "Review police reports, medical treatment records, medical bills, or physical property damage to determine the extent of liability"; "Investigate and assess damage to property and create or review property damage estimates"; "Interview or correspond with agents and claimants to correct errors or omissions and to investigate questionable claims".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is long-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 376,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 355,500 in 2035, a decrease of 20,600 jobs (-5.5%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 20,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 5.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $78,000, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators earn the most
Across the 12 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $64,590 in Arizona to $91,858 in New York, a gap of $27,268 (1.42 times). 7 of those 12 states average above the BLS national median of $78,000 and 5 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 23,110, which is 11.6% of the 198,610 counted across them. Florida follows with 22,050.
Highest-paying states
New York ($91,858), California ($91,104) and New Jersey ($90,889) lead the ranking, while Arizona ($64,590) and Georgia ($73,175) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators: pay against the cost of living
We compare 13 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Dallas County, TX (Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX) at $41,365. The smallest margin is $27,103 in Maricopa County, AZ.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 13 of the 13 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 22.9% and 45.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-1000) include Management Analysts, Project Management Specialists, Labor Relations Specialists and Logisticians.
Frequently asked questions about Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
How much do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $78,000. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $64,590 to $91,858.
Which state pays Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $91,858. California is next at $91,104.
Is Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 5.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 20,900 openings a year.
What education do Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and long-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Dallas County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $41,365 on a median wage of $82,890.