How much does a eligibility interviewer make?
The median eligibility interviewer in the United States earns $54,210 per year, about $26.06 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all eligibility interviewers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4061.
Eligibility interviewer salary range
Pay for eligibility interviewers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $74,690. The average (mean) wage of $56,090 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 | $38,900 | $18.70 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,910 | $22.07 | |
| Median (50th) | $54,210 | $26.06 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,610 | $30.58 | |
| 90th percentile | $74,690 | $35.91 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for eligibility interviewers, government programs (SOC 43-4061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Eligibility interviewer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Eligibility interviewers earn the most in District of Columbia at $74,080 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $36,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $74,080 | 640 |
| Connecticut | $71,940 | 1,250 |
| Michigan | $66,830 | 5,060 |
| Washington | $66,330 | 3,880 |
| Massachusetts | $64,750 | 1,700 |
| Rhode Island | $64,560 | 570 |
| California | $63,520 | 30,960 |
| Minnesota | $62,820 | 2,910 |
| Alaska | $61,840 | 400 |
| Illinois | $61,840 | 1,740 |
| Iowa | $61,340 | 1,040 |
| Montana | $59,180 | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,070 | 10,280 |
| Colorado | $58,750 | 3,140 |
| Vermont | $58,530 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $57,300 | 240 |
| Maryland | $57,160 | 3,710 |
| Oregon | $55,660 | 1,740 |
| Nevada | $55,160 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $54,970 | 610 |
| Alabama | $54,040 | 2,720 |
| New York | $53,430 | 10,220 |
| New Mexico | $53,000 | 790 |
| Utah | $52,790 | 1,960 |
| Idaho | $52,670 | 240 |
| South Dakota | $52,350 | 470 |
| Kentucky | $52,020 | 1,710 |
| North Dakota | $51,810 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $51,480 | 1,610 |
| New Jersey | $51,380 | 920 |
| Virginia | $50,960 | 4,290 |
| Maine | $50,860 | 620 |
| Nebraska | $50,320 | 220 |
| Ohio | $50,070 | 4,300 |
| Kansas | $49,650 | 810 |
| Tennessee | $49,230 | 4,060 |
| Oklahoma | $49,090 | 520 |
| Louisiana | $48,260 | 740 |
| North Carolina | $47,350 | 7,740 |
| Texas | $46,860 | 12,020 |
| Arkansas | $45,340 | 610 |
| Georgia | $44,620 | 6,120 |
| West Virginia | $44,150 | 250 |
| Delaware | $42,900 | 120 |
| Missouri | $42,850 | 4,130 |
| Arizona | $41,690 | 3,440 |
| Indiana | $40,160 | 3,000 |
| South Carolina | $38,670 | 1,750 |
| Florida | $37,230 | 5,880 |
| Mississippi | $36,840 | 1,760 |
State median wages for eligibility interviewers, government programs (SOC 43-4061), 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 eligibility interviewers
The BLS projects employment of eligibility interviewers to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 162,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 165,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,700 openings a year for eligibility interviewers. 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 an eligibility interviewer
The typical entry-level education for eligibility interviewers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-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 an eligibility interviewer earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $74,080) and the lowest (Mississippi, $36,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 154,800 people work as eligibility interviewers in the United States. At $54,210 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Eligibility interviewer salary FAQ
How much does an eligibility interviewer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an eligibility interviewer is $26.06. The middle half of eligibility interviewers earn between $22.07 and $30.58 per hour.
What is the highest eligibility interviewer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of eligibility interviewers earn more than $74,690 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an eligibility interviewer make a year?
The median annual salary for an eligibility interviewer is $54,210. The average (mean) wage of $56,090 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an eligibility interviewer a well paid job?
At $54,210 a year, an eligibility interviewer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 154,800 people work as eligibility interviewers in the United States.
Which state pays eligibility interviewers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for eligibility interviewers at $74,080 a year. Connecticut ($71,940) and Michigan ($66,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an eligibility interviewer a good career?
Employment of eligibility interviewers is projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an eligibility interviewer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for eligibility interviewers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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