Insurance appraisers, auto damage
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine cost of repair for insurance claim settlement and seek agreement with automotive repair shop on cost of repair. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations.
Adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators held about 263,000 jobs in 2004. Only 5 percent of these jobs were held by auto damage insurance appraisers. Insurance carriers, agencies, brokerages, and related industries, such as private claims adjusting companies, employed more than 8 out of 10 claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators. Relatively few adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators were self-employed.
Earnings of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators vary significantly. Median annual earnings were $44,220 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,900 and $57,410. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $72,620.
Many claims adjusters, especially those who work for insurance companies, receive additional bonuses or benefits as part of their job. Adjusters often are furnished a laptop computer, a cellular telephone, and a company car or are reimbursed for the use of their own vehicle for business purposes.
Median annual earnings of auto damage insurance appraisers were $45,330 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,210 and $54,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $63,220.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Insurance appraisers, auto damage | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Retail Trade employment: 50 mean earnings: $46,640 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,310 | $39,750 | $43,920 | $52,560 | $66,450 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 50 mean earnings: $46,640 | $37,310 | $39,750 | $43,920 | $52,560 | $66,450 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 50 mean earnings: $39,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,320 | $25,560 | $37,120 | $51,990 | $61,000 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 50 mean earnings: $39,770 | $21,320 | $25,560 | $37,120 | $51,990 | $61,000 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 11,820 mean earnings: $48,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $32,640 | $39,590 | $48,300 | $56,670 | $67,590 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 11,750 mean earnings: $48,830 | $32,610 | $39,570 | $48,320 | $56,690 | $67,610 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 170 mean earnings: $52,400 (EC) (def) (IG) | $35,470 | $42,440 | $50,900 | $59,570 | $72,600 |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $52,400 | $35,470 | $42,440 | $50,900 | $59,570 | $72,600 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $43,860 (EC) (def) (IG) | $14,930 | $30,580 | $39,420 | $48,380 | $69,240 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $43,860 | $14,930 | $30,580 | $39,420 | $48,380 | $69,240 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 110 mean earnings: $48,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $35,190 | $39,840 | $46,660 | $55,450 | $67,320 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 110 mean earnings: $48,770 | $35,190 | $39,840 | $46,660 | $55,450 | $67,320 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $46,630 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,360 | $37,500 | $44,660 | $56,000 | $67,920 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 170 mean earnings: $46,630 | $27,360 | $37,500 | $44,660 | $56,000 | $67,920 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 320 mean earnings: $47,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $24,620 | $37,450 | $44,720 | $55,740 | $68,230 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: n.a. mean earnings: $46,380 | $23,830 | $37,130 | $44,150 | $54,640 | $65,370 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.