How much does a insurance claims and policy processing clerk make?
The median insurance claims and policy processing clerk in the United States earns $48,450 per year, about $23.29 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all insurance claims and policy processing clerks earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 43-9041.
Insurance claims and policy processing clerk salary range
Pay for insurance claims and policy processing clerks spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $73,100. The average (mean) wage of $51,980 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,450 | $23.29 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,500 | $28.61 | |
| 90th percentile | $73,100 | $35.15 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for insurance claims and policy processing clerks (SOC 43-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Insurance claims and policy processing clerk salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Insurance claims and policy processing clerks earn the most in Washington at $59,190 a year, and the least in Alaska at $36,120. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,190 | 3,920 |
| New Jersey | $58,010 | 4,780 |
| New Hampshire | $57,830 | 1,310 |
| New York | $57,620 | 7,480 |
| District of Columbia | $57,510 | 140 |
| Connecticut | $56,950 | 2,290 |
| Massachusetts | $56,400 | 5,020 |
| Colorado | $55,030 | 1,690 |
| California | $54,120 | 25,360 |
| Minnesota | $53,570 | 4,030 |
| Maryland | $53,180 | 1,520 |
| Maine | $52,010 | 1,520 |
| Rhode Island | $50,740 | 660 |
| Delaware | $50,490 | 710 |
| Vermont | $49,960 | 330 |
| Montana | $49,920 | 440 |
| Wisconsin | $49,330 | 4,670 |
| Arizona | $49,270 | 8,240 |
| Oregon | $49,230 | 2,150 |
| Texas | $49,090 | 28,160 |
| Oklahoma | $48,890 | 2,020 |
| North Dakota | $48,720 | 610 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 | 430 |
| Ohio | $47,910 | 11,680 |
| Kentucky | $47,560 | 2,750 |
| Nebraska | $47,510 | 2,630 |
| Florida | $47,080 | 17,010 |
| Missouri | $46,990 | 4,780 |
| Illinois | $46,960 | 9,160 |
| Kansas | $46,940 | 700 |
| Idaho | $46,890 | 790 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,800 | 6,640 |
| Iowa | $46,750 | 2,550 |
| Michigan | $46,750 | 5,820 |
| Virginia | $46,710 | 4,890 |
| North Carolina | $46,570 | 7,110 |
| Indiana | $46,450 | 5,830 |
| Tennessee | $46,140 | 8,810 |
| Georgia | $46,060 | 10,040 |
| Nevada | $44,810 | 2,580 |
| South Dakota | $43,680 | 1,170 |
| Louisiana | $43,650 | 2,010 |
| South Carolina | $43,620 | 4,120 |
| Utah | $43,480 | 1,950 |
| Wyoming | $41,460 | 240 |
| Arkansas | $40,810 | 2,010 |
| Mississippi | $39,590 | 1,730 |
| New Mexico | $38,910 | 790 |
| West Virginia | $38,890 | 1,240 |
| Alabama | $37,850 | 2,540 |
| Alaska | $36,120 | 70 |
State median wages for insurance claims and policy processing clerks (SOC 43-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for insurance claims and policy processing clerks
The BLS projects employment of insurance claims and policy processing clerks to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 1.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 239,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 234,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 17,500 openings a year for insurance claims and policy processing clerks. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an insurance claims and policy processing clerk
The typical entry-level education for insurance claims and policy processing clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an insurance claims and policy processing clerk earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $59,190) and the lowest (Alaska, $36,120) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 229,070 people work as insurance claims and policy processing clerks in the United States. At $48,450 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Insurance claims and policy processing clerk salary FAQ
How much does an insurance claims and policy processing clerk make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an insurance claims and policy processing clerk is $23.29. The middle half of insurance claims and policy processing clerks earn between $20.00 and $28.61 per hour.
What is the highest insurance claims and policy processing clerk salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of insurance claims and policy processing clerks earn more than $73,100 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an insurance claims and policy processing clerk make a year?
The median annual salary for an insurance claims and policy processing clerk is $48,450. The average (mean) wage of $51,980 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an insurance claims and policy processing clerk a well paid job?
At $48,450 a year, an insurance claims and policy processing clerk earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 229,070 people work as insurance claims and policy processing clerks in the United States.
Which state pays insurance claims and policy processing clerks the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for insurance claims and policy processing clerks at $59,190 a year. New Jersey ($58,010) and New Hampshire ($57,830) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an insurance claims and policy processing clerk a good career?
Employment of insurance claims and policy processing clerks is projected to shrink 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 17,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an insurance claims and policy processing clerk?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for insurance claims and policy processing clerks as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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