Business and finance
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
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.
Median pay
$78,000
Growth to 2035
−5%
declining
Openings a year
20,900
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators: 44% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.
- Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations.
- Pay and process claims within designated authority level.
- Investigate, evaluate, and settle claims, applying technical knowledge and human relations skills to effect fair and prompt disposal of cases and to contribute to a reduced loss ratio.
- Verify and analyze data used in settling claims to ensure that claims are valid and that settlements are made according to company practices and procedures.
- 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.
Also called: Claims Adjuster · Claims Analyst · Claims Examiner · Claims Representative · Claims Specialist · Corporate Claims Examiner · Field Claims Adjuster · General Adjuster
Outlook and AI
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators held 376,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 355,500 by 2035 (−5%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Productivity change - share decreases as computer software and artificial intelligence (AI) will make claims adjustment processes more efficient, allowing adjusters to focus on more complex claims.
Compare with
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