Claims Adjuster Salary in 2026
Investigate insurance claims by interviewing claimants and determining payment amounts.
Median Salary
$78,000
$6,500/mo
Entry Level
$56,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$102,100
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (SOC 13-1031) at a national median of $78,000 per year (mean $80,470), or $37.50 per hour, with 324,230 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Claims Adjuster Overview
Investigate insurance claims by interviewing claimants and determining payment amounts.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Insurance
Total Jobs (US)
324K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Insurance
Hourly Rate
$37.50/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,500
Claims Adjuster Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Claims Adjuster salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Claims Adjuster Salary
$87,000
$7,250/month · $3,346/biweekly · $41.83/hr
Claims Adjuster Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Claims Adjuster field.
Entry-level Claims Adjusters earn around $56,700, while the top 10% earn $113,450 or more.
Top Paying States for Claims Adjusters
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $92,000 | +$14,000 |
| New York | $90,000 | +$12,000 |
| Illinois | $81,000 | +$3,000 |
| Texas | $76,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $76,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Claims Adjusters
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $92,000 | +$14,000 |
| Los Angeles | $87,000 | +$9,000 |
| Chicago | $82,000 | +$4,000 |
| Miami | $80,000 | +$2,000 |
| Houston | $77,000 | $-1,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Claims Adjuster Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Claims Adjuster from entry level to expert.
$56,700
0-2 years
$79,000
3-7 years
$102,100
8-14 years
$124,800
15+ years
Claims Adjuster Salary FAQ
How much does a Claims Adjuster make in 2026?
The median salary for a Claims Adjuster in the United States is $78,000 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (SOC 13-1031); the mean is $80,470. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $56,700, senior professionals around $102,100, and top earners at $124,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Claims Adjuster?
A Claims Adjuster typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Claim Investigation, Negotiation, Report Writing. Relevant certifications such as AIC Designation can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Claims Adjusters?
The job market for Claims Adjusters is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 324K Claims Adjuster positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 8%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Claims Adjusters the most?
The highest-paying states for Claims Adjusters include California, Texas, Florida. In California, the median salary is approximately $92,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Claims Adjuster salary?
To increase your Claims Adjuster salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Claim Investigation and Negotiation. Pursue certifications such as AIC Designation. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $56,700 to $102,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Claims Adjuster Salary
How we calculate Claims Adjuster salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators (SOC 13-1031), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $78,000, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators; BLS mean $80,470; BLS hourly median $37.50.
- Entry-level ($56,700) and senior-level ($102,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 324,230 Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Insurance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $78,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Claims Adjuster compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Claims Adjuster job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Insurance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Claims Adjuster salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Claim Investigation, Negotiation, Report Writing), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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