Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators Salary
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators earn a median $78,000 a year nationally. Business and Financial Operations Occupations
U.S. median
$78,000
$37.50 per hour
Range
$48,850 – $117,040
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
324,230
across the U.S.
▲1.6%
Pay trend: The median for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators in the U.S. rose from $76,790 (May 2024) to $78,000 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.8%.
What claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators do
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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.5% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 20,900
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators is projected to shrink 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 20,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$63,703
per year · effective tax rate 18.3%
$5,309Monthly
$2,654Twice a month
$2,450Every 2 weeks
$30.63Hourly
- Federal income tax$8,330
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,836
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,131
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$63,703
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,850 | $23.49 | $41,431 |
| 25th percentile | $61,160 | $29.40 | $51,322 |
| Median (50th) | $78,000 | $37.50 | $63,703 |
| 75th percentile | $98,030 | $47.13 | $77,794 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,040 | $56.27 | $91,168 |
Best cities for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, MD | $98,700 | $73,941 | $70,766 | 4,280 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $81,830 | $66,397 | $70,102 | 4,860 |
| 3 | Nashville, TN | $78,030 | $63,724 | $66,146 | 3,390 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $78,090 | $61,033 | $65,951 | 3,690 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $105,340 | $76,000 | $65,737 | 3,390 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $78,820 | $64,280 | $65,173 | 2,890 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $82,890 | $67,143 | $65,131 | 8,630 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $79,770 | $62,101 | $64,063 | 2,620 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $95,980 | $71,729 | $63,724 | 14,840 |
| 10 | Charlotte, NC | $78,680 | $61,551 | $63,228 | 2,460 |
| 11 | Tampa, FL | $77,990 | $63,696 | $63,134 | 7,240 |
| 12 | St. Louis, MO | $75,840 | $59,556 | $62,633 | 3,170 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $81,560 | $63,704 | $62,117 | 6,850 |
| 14 | Orlando, FL | $76,630 | $62,739 | $61,862 | 3,380 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $88,390 | $66,813 | $61,712 | 3,380 |
| 16 | Sacramento, CA | $87,910 | $65,586 | $61,485 | 2,560 |
| 17 | Detroit, MI | $79,060 | $61,339 | $61,157 | 3,280 |
| 18 | Seattle, WA | $83,200 | $67,361 | $60,613 | 3,840 |
| 19 | Washington, DC | $84,590 | $64,117 | $58,886 | 2,600 |
| 20 | Denver, CO | $79,930 | $62,252 | $58,850 | 3,580 |
| 21 | Atlanta, GA | $75,770 | $58,825 | $58,790 | 13,830 |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | $89,070 | $66,279 | $58,362 | 7,540 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $78,640 | $60,405 | $58,309 | 9,080 |
| 24 | Minneapolis, MN | $78,460 | $60,215 | $57,445 | 4,280 |
| 25 | San Diego, CA | $84,550 | $63,578 | $56,824 | 2,840 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $105,340
- Baltimore, MD — $98,700
- New York, NY — $95,980
- Los Angeles, CA — $89,070
- Boston, MA — $88,390
- Sacramento, CA — $87,910
- Washington, DC — $84,590
- San Diego, CA — $84,550
- Seattle, WA — $83,200
- Dallas, TX — $82,890
- San Antonio, TX — $81,830
- Philadelphia, PA — $81,560
- Denver, CO — $79,930
- Milwaukee, WI — $79,770
- Detroit, MI — $79,060
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,150 | +13.8% | $74,360 | $70,240 – $144,680 | 360 |
| New Jersey | $95,690 | +11.3% | $72,242 | $61,780 – $129,720 | 9,650 |
| Maryland | $95,560 | +3.1% | $71,881 | $53,190 – $135,040 | — |
| California | $91,790 | +1.0% | $67,904 | $60,020 – $124,990 | 24,290 |
| Connecticut | $88,330 | +4.6% | $67,687 | $63,090 – $129,740 | 3,190 |
| Alaska | $87,670 | +1.4% | $70,506 | $62,200 – $132,200 | 220 |
| New York | $87,130 | +6.1% | $66,018 | $51,560 – $130,370 | 17,330 |
| Rhode Island | $86,520 | +3.6% | $67,069 | $60,290 – $130,480 | 1,150 |
| Vermont | $83,970 | +7.5% | $64,821 | $62,360 – $118,500 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $83,890 | +2.9% | $67,847 | $59,580 – $120,430 | 880 |
| Massachusetts | $83,740 | −0.7% | $63,774 | $58,650 – $123,260 | 5,070 |
| Oregon | $81,640 | +2.9% | $59,950 | $56,320 – $117,380 | 2,950 |
| Washington | $80,700 | +0.7% | $65,602 | $50,080 – $122,840 | 6,180 |
| Alabama | $79,710 | −0.4% | $61,185 | $49,190 – $106,370 | 4,040 |
| Hawaii | $79,080 | −0.4% | $59,983 | $51,830 – $106,690 | 900 |
| South Dakota | $78,900 | +6.9% | $64,336 | $58,160 – $104,190 | 1,030 |
| Michigan | $78,850 | +1.9% | $61,201 | $48,210 – $109,000 | 6,640 |
| Texas | $78,800 | −1.8% | $64,266 | $46,560 – $116,610 | 29,220 |
| Maine | $78,590 | +0.7% | $59,995 | $60,180 – $104,490 | 1,650 |
| Minnesota | $78,350 | +0.4% | $60,145 | $58,110 – $106,270 | 5,530 |
| Wisconsin | $78,160 | +2.0% | $61,054 | $50,570 – $103,620 | 8,760 |
| Tennessee | $78,010 | +4.1% | $63,710 | $47,310 – $108,890 | 6,390 |
| Colorado | $77,620 | +3.3% | $60,729 | $59,550 – $123,360 | 5,680 |
| Idaho | $77,340 | +13.2% | $60,248 | $49,940 – $117,100 | 1,320 |
| Kansas | $77,290 | +0.8% | $59,690 | $48,980 – $112,710 | 4,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,290 | −0.6% | $60,831 | $46,360 – $119,980 | 13,270 |
| Mississippi | $77,100 | +2.6% | $60,718 | $48,680 – $100,850 | — |
| Illinois | $77,010 | +3.5% | $59,339 | $48,620 – $118,810 | 14,210 |
| Florida | $76,920 | +15.0% | $62,943 | $47,030 – $105,150 | 28,100 |
| Wyoming | $76,400 | −3.2% | $62,577 | $48,790 – $126,440 | 180 |
| Missouri | $75,840 | −0.5% | $59,556 | $48,900 – $111,070 | 6,200 |
| Nebraska | $75,830 | +11.5% | $59,606 | $50,170 – $102,250 | 3,160 |
| South Carolina | $75,370 | +0.6% | $58,488 | $46,640 – $104,050 | 4,130 |
| North Carolina | $75,310 | +0.6% | $59,314 | $48,200 – $108,630 | 9,880 |
| Virginia | $74,240 | −3.6% | $57,603 | $49,140 – $109,970 | 7,860 |
| Arkansas | $73,920 | −1.5% | $58,163 | $46,490 – $103,420 | 2,660 |
| Kentucky | $73,840 | +2.9% | $58,310 | $52,600 – $100,400 | 3,670 |
| Indiana | $73,560 | +14.0% | $58,439 | $48,660 – $101,270 | 4,340 |
| Georgia | $73,320 | +2.2% | $57,228 | $51,000 – $103,080 | — |
| Iowa | $72,640 | +5.7% | $57,824 | $50,360 – $102,900 | 3,930 |
| Delaware | $72,370 | −8.6% | $56,307 | $51,430 – $116,710 | — |
| Oklahoma | $71,260 | +4.9% | $56,300 | $47,440 – $100,240 | 4,140 |
| Utah | $69,000 | +4.2% | $55,233 | $46,120 – $100,970 | 2,440 |
| Ohio | $67,990 | +12.8% | $55,574 | $47,950 – $104,870 | 13,650 |
| New Mexico | $67,930 | +2.7% | $54,592 | $40,620 – $101,520 | 1,280 |
| West Virginia | $67,290 | +1.9% | $53,860 | $45,650 – $106,330 | 1,340 |
| North Dakota | $65,460 | +9.2% | $54,760 | $47,960 – $97,470 | 750 |
| Louisiana | $65,220 | −6.0% | $53,014 | $42,160 – $102,240 | 3,340 |
| Arizona | $65,110 | +3.0% | $53,077 | $47,990 – $100,590 | 13,830 |
| Montana | $63,860 | +1.0% | $51,244 | $46,080 – $101,390 | 1,230 |
| Nevada | $62,730 | −0.9% | $52,584 | $43,800 – $98,920 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $78,240 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -8.7% |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $78,210 | Bachelor's degree | +6.0% |
| Buyer and Purchasing Agent | $77,710 | Bachelor's degree | +6.0% |
| Cost Estimator | $78,740 | Bachelor's degree | -3.1% |
| Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist | $78,760 | Bachelor's degree | +7.0% |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 | Bachelor's degree | +6.4% |
| Compliance Officer | $80,730 | Bachelor's degree | +3.8% |
| Logistician | $82,320 | Bachelor's degree | +17.6% |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $82,890 | Bachelor's degree | +9.7% |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $83,050 | Bachelor's degree | +3.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators make?
The national median salary for claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators is $78,000 a year ($37.50 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,850 and the top 10% earn over $117,040. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $101,150. After taxes and local prices, Baltimore, MD offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators are there in the U.S.?
About 324,230 people work as claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators nationwide.
All 30 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Kansas City, MO
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC