Career
Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
Investigate insurance claims and decide what is owed.
Here's what you actually need to know.
The work
What people in this job do
- 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.
The outlook
How the forecast changed this year
AI
BLS now cites artificial intelligence in this occupation's outlook: “share decreases as computer software and artificial intelligence (AI) will make claims adjustment processes more efficient, allowing adjusters to focus on more complex claims.”
The deeper question
What kind of person does this path ask you to become?
What this work centers on
O*NET interest profile, scored 1–7.
The work
Do you want most of your days spent on information & systems, then persuasion & leadership?
Responsibility
Are you willing to be the one responsible for this?
“Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.”
Development
What would you need to build over the next 5–10 years?
Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking.
Trade-offs
What does it ask of you in exchange?
No degree beyond high school, though long-term on-the-job training is typical, for a median of $78,000 a year and 20,900 openings nationally each year.
Paths in
Degrees that lead here
- Health AdministrationSee the degree →
- Health/Medical Claims ExaminerCIP 51.0715
- InsuranceCIP 52.1701
Paths across
Careers that use similar skills
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$49,230 · -1.9%
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$54,210 · +1.6%
- Customer Service Representatives$44,770 · -5.3%
- Insurance Underwriters$81,370 · -3.8%
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$62,370 · -1.0%
Ask anything about this career.
“Would this make sense if I don't want to sit at a desk all day?” Answers will come from the sources on this page, with citations. Coming soon.
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Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.