How the national numbers differ
1Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators has the edge on annual openings
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators is at 20,900 annual openings, compared with 700 annual openings for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage.
Typical preparation differs.
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators: High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: Postsecondary nondegree award; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators has the edge on projected growth
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators is at -5.5% projected growth, compared with -8.7% projected growth for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage.
National pay benchmarks are very similar.
Compare actual offers, expected paid hours, schedule, and benefits before treating either career as the higher-paying option.
51.4/ 100Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
vs
33.7/ 100Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators vs Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
| Dimension | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $78,000 | $78,240 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 69.1 percentile | 69.8 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | -5.5% | -8.7% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 20,900 | 700 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 376,100 | 13,500 |
|---|
| How you qualify | High school diploma or equivalent; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing | Postsecondary nondegree award; More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 4 | Job Zone 3 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. | More than one month and up to 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
