How much does a claims adjuster make?
The median claims adjuster in the United States earns $78,000 per year, about $37.50 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all claims adjusters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1031.
Claims adjuster salary range
Pay for claims adjusters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $117,040. The average (mean) wage of $80,470 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,850 | $23.48 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,160 | $29.40 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,000 | $37.50 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $98,030 | $47.13 | |
| 90th percentile | $117,040 | $56.27 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators (SOC 13-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Claims adjuster salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Claims adjusters earn the most in District of Columbia at $101,150 a year, and the least in Nevada at $62,730. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,150 | 360 |
| New Jersey | $95,690 | 9,650 |
| Maryland | $95,560 | N/A |
| California | $91,790 | 24,290 |
| Connecticut | $88,330 | 3,190 |
| Alaska | $87,670 | 220 |
| New York | $87,130 | 17,330 |
| Rhode Island | $86,520 | 1,150 |
| Vermont | $83,970 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $83,890 | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $83,740 | 5,070 |
| Oregon | $81,640 | 2,950 |
| Washington | $80,700 | 6,180 |
| Alabama | $79,710 | 4,040 |
| Hawaii | $79,080 | 900 |
| South Dakota | $78,900 | 1,030 |
| Michigan | $78,850 | 6,640 |
| Texas | $78,800 | 29,220 |
| Maine | $78,590 | 1,650 |
| Minnesota | $78,350 | 5,530 |
| Wisconsin | $78,160 | 8,760 |
| Tennessee | $78,010 | 6,390 |
| Colorado | $77,620 | 5,680 |
| Idaho | $77,340 | 1,320 |
| Kansas | $77,290 | 4,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,290 | 13,270 |
| Mississippi | $77,100 | N/A |
| Illinois | $77,010 | 14,210 |
| Florida | $76,920 | 28,100 |
| Wyoming | $76,400 | 180 |
| Missouri | $75,840 | 6,200 |
| Nebraska | $75,830 | 3,160 |
| South Carolina | $75,370 | 4,130 |
| North Carolina | $75,310 | 9,880 |
| Virginia | $74,240 | 7,860 |
| Arkansas | $73,920 | 2,660 |
| Kentucky | $73,840 | 3,670 |
| Indiana | $73,560 | 4,340 |
| Georgia | $73,320 | N/A |
| Iowa | $72,640 | 3,930 |
| Delaware | $72,370 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $71,260 | 4,140 |
| Utah | $69,000 | 2,440 |
| Ohio | $67,990 | 13,650 |
| New Mexico | $67,930 | 1,280 |
| West Virginia | $67,290 | 1,340 |
| North Dakota | $65,460 | 750 |
| Louisiana | $65,220 | 3,340 |
| Arizona | $65,110 | 13,830 |
| Montana | $63,860 | 1,230 |
| Nevada | $62,730 | N/A |
State median wages for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators (SOC 13-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for claims adjusters
The BLS projects employment of claims adjusters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 5.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 376,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 355,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 20,900 openings a year for claims adjusters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a claims adjuster
The typical entry-level education for claims adjusters is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a claims adjuster earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $101,150) and the lowest (Nevada, $62,730) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 324,230 people work as claims adjusters in the United States. At $78,000 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Claims adjuster salary FAQ
How much does a claims adjuster make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a claims adjuster is $37.50. The middle half of claims adjusters earn between $29.40 and $47.13 per hour.
What is the highest claims adjuster salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of claims adjusters earn more than $117,040 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a claims adjuster make a year?
The median annual salary for a claims adjuster is $78,000. The average (mean) wage of $80,470 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a claims adjuster a well paid job?
At $78,000 a year, a claims adjuster earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 324,230 people work as claims adjusters in the United States.
Which state pays claims adjusters the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for claims adjusters at $101,150 a year. New Jersey ($95,690) and Maryland ($95,560) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a claims adjuster a good career?
Employment of claims adjusters is projected to shrink 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 20,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a claims adjuster?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for claims adjusters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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