Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage earn a median of $78,240 per year ($37.61/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 8.7% through 2035, with about 700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 13-1032
- Business and Financial Operations
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage in four numbers
- Median pay
- $78,240a year, or $37.61/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $58KTop 10% $102K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -8.7%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−8.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −8.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 70013,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202513.5K
- Projected 203512.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 13.5K Projected 2035 12.4K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school23.9%
- Certificate28.8%
- Some college30.6%
- Associate's15.2%
- Bachelor's1.5%
Highest education held by insurance appraisers, auto damage Segment Value High school 23.9% Certificate 28.8% Some college 30.6% Associate's 15.2% Bachelor's 1.5%
Also advertised as: Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser), Damage Appraiser, Field Appraiser, Field Inspector.
Pay
How much do Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage make?
Every insurance appraiser, auto damage in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$78,240
Middle half earn $65,050 to $91,880
- 10th
- $58,360
- 25th
- $65,050
- 75th
- $91,880
- 90th
- $101,590
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,360 |
| 25th | $65,050 |
| Median | $78,240 |
| 75th | $91,880 |
| 90th | $101,590 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $78,240
- Median hourly wage
- $37.61/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $78,900
- People employed
- 11,560
Versus all US occupations
At $78,240, Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage earn 53% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $27,260 a year.
Versus business and financial operations occupations
Inside the Business and Financial Operations group, where the middle occupation pays $80,730, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,590 or more while the bottom 10% earn $58,360, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 55% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Kentucky pays the most at $97,950, and still leads at $108,641 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Kentucky | $97,950 | $108,641 | N/A |
| 2Pennsylvania | $95,720 | $98,102 | 310 |
| 3New Jersey | $94,280 | $86,650 | N/A |
| 4Connecticut | $89,740 | $86,613 | 210 |
| 5South Carolina | $86,680 | $92,460 | 220 |
| 6Arizona | $86,030 | $85,451 | 40 |
| 7Oregon | $83,270 | $80,562 | 170 |
| 8Maryland | $82,870 | $78,955 | N/A |
| 9Utah | $82,570 | $83,519 | 50 |
| 10Oklahoma | $82,340 | $93,735 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -8.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | −8.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage to change -8.7% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 700 openings are projected each year, 5.2% of the 13,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Technology is expected to automate some of the tasks that these workers currently perform. For example, computer software can evaluate photographs of damaged property and calculate an estimated claim amount. In addition, data processing speed and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities will continue to increase, which will improve efficiency and make workers more productive.
The number of natural disasters, such as floods and fires, influences demand for claims adjusters in property and casualty insurance. Future increases in the number of natural disasters could result in some demand for claims adjusters in the field.
Getting in
How to become an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator, although some positions require a bachelor’s degree or insurance-related work experience. Auto damage appraisers typically have either a postsecondary nondegree award or work experience in identifying and estimating the cost of automotive repair.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as insurance appraisers, auto damage.
- Some College Courses30.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate28.8%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)23.9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree15.2%
- Bachelor's Degree1.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Some College Courses | 30.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 28.8% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 23.9% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 15.2% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 1.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage do?
Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.
Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim and if so, how much.
Day-to-day tasks
- Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
- Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
- Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
- Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
- Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
- Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
- Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators work full time. However, their work schedules may vary.
Adjusters often arrange their work schedules to accommodate evening and weekend appointments with clients. This requirement sometimes results in adjusters working irregular schedules, especially when they have a lot of claims to review.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where insurance appraisers, auto damage work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Direct insurance (except life, health, and medical) carriers35%
- Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities29%
- Federal government13%
- Direct health and medical insurance carriers7%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Direct insurance (except life, health, and medical) carriers | 35% |
| Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities | 29% |
| Federal government | 13% |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | 7% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Writing3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.5
- Active Listening3.5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Learning2.9
- Mathematics2.6
- Monitoring2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Writing | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.5 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Monitoring | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Service Orientation3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Persuasion2.9
- Negotiation2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Persuasion | 2.9 |
| Negotiation | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Billing and invoicing software
- Compiler and decompiler software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional5.4
- Realistic5.2
- Enterprising3.5
- Investigative3.0
- Social1.6
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
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More business and financial operations careers
Median annual pay, with insurance appraisers, auto damage highlighted
- Financial Advisor$105,070
- Accountant$83,680
- Insurance Underwriter$81,370
- Coroner$80,730
- Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage$78,240
- Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator$78,000
- Loan Officer$76,690
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940
- Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate$67,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 |
| Accountant | $83,680 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 |
| Coroner | $80,730 |
| Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage | $78,240 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator | $78,000 |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 |
| Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate | $67,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage appears on
Questions
Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage: frequently asked questions
How much do Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage make?
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage earn a median of $78,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 53% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $37.61/hr. The middle half earn between $65,050 and $91,880. The top 10% earn $101,590 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 30.6% hold some college courses.
Is Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 8.7% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage do?
Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. A core O*NET task: review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs. Employers most often ask for Document management software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage the most?
The highest state medians for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage are Kentucky ($97,950), Pennsylvania ($95,720), New Jersey ($94,280) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage?
O*NET scores Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage highest on the Conventional, Realistic and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.