How To Become An Adjuster: What It Is and Career Path

What is an adjuster and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

An adjuster investigates and evaluates insurance claims to determine the extent of liability and coverage for an insurance company. They work with policyholders, witnesses, and experts to gather information, inspect damage, and calculate costs. Adjusters may specialize in auto, property, or workers' compensation claims. They must be knowledgeable about insurance policies and possess analytical and communication skills. Ultimately, they handle claims to ensure efficient and fair outcomes for both the insurance company and the policyholder.

ScoreAdjusterUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $49,396

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

8.3

Growth Rate -6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 5.10%

Black or African American 12.22%

Hispanic or Latino 16.35%

Unknown 4.39%

White 61.44%

Gender

female 43.07%

male 56.93%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

8.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.4

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Adjuster?

Pros

Good earning potential
Opportunities for advancement
Flexible work schedule
Ability to work independently
Job stability

Cons

Heavy workload and long hours
Paperwork and administrative tasks can be time-consuming
Limited opportunities for creative problem-solving
Can be emotionally draining
Limited social interaction with colleagues and clients

Key steps to become an adjuster

Explore adjuster education requirements

Most common adjuster degrees

Bachelor's

62.0 %

Associate

16.1 %

High School Diploma

9.3 %

Start to develop specific adjuster skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	18.51%
Strong Customer Service	6.85%
Litigation	6.80%
Liability Claims	6.15%
Policy Coverage	6.06%

Complete relevant adjuster training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New adjusters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an adjuster based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real adjuster resumes.

Gain additional adjuster certifications

Adjuster certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific adjuster certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for adjusters include Certified Work Adjustment Specialist (CWA) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS).

More About Certifications

Research adjuster duties and responsibilities

Manage strict confidentiality of documents and comply with HIPAA regulations stipulate by the facility and government.
Review evidence obtain in liability investigations to evaluate a claim for success in recovery through litigation or arbitration.
Document measurements and relevant data to author estimates and appraisals utilizing Xactimate 28software.
Charge with answering and defending policy holders and company interests through independent and binding third-party arbitration proceedings.

Prepare your adjuster resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your adjuster resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an adjuster resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Adjuster Resume templates

Build a professional Adjuster resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Adjuster resume.

Apply for adjuster jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an adjuster job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do adjusters rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Adjuster reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019

Pros

Working from home

Cons

Amount of work expected, duplicative data entry and oversight adjusters. Angry phone calls.

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019