Auto Insurance Appraisers: Salary Insights

Auto insurance appraisers, also known as auto damage appraisers, evaluate automobile damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. The salary of an auto insurance appraiser varies depending on factors such as experience level, location, and the company they work for. On average, an auto insurance appraiser in the United States earns around $70,000 per year, but salaries can range from $46,000 to $95,000.

Salary range for auto insurance appraisers

The salary of an auto insurance appraiser varies depending on several factors, including experience level, company, location, and whether they are staff appraisers or independent contractors.

Staff Appraisers

According to a February 2020 article, the average salary of an auto damage appraiser is just over $50,000 a year. The salary range for these appraisers can be anywhere from $34,000 for newcomers to $76,000 for veterans in the field. However, this data is a few years old and may not reflect the current market.

More recent data from April 2024 suggests that the average salary for automobile damage appraisers in the United States is around $73,400, with the range typically falling between $67,500 and $81,000. This range can vary based on factors such as education, certifications, additional skills, and years of experience.

Independent Contractors

Independent auto damage appraisers are typically paid based on the number of claims they process and usually earn per an independent adjuster fee schedule. Their earnings can be on the higher end of what staff adjusters make, with some sources estimating this to be between $60,000 and $80,000 per year once their business is established.

Location-Based Variations

Location also plays a significant role in determining the salary of auto insurance appraisers. For example, the average salary for an auto appraiser in California is $71,026 per year, while the national average is $71,769 as of June 2024. The highest salary for this profession is in Utah, where they earn approximately $86,820 on average.

Salary by state

The salary of an auto insurance appraiser varies depending on factors such as location, experience, company, and whether they are working independently or for an insurance company.

In California, the average salary for an auto appraiser is $71,026 per year, with salaries ranging from $48,700 to $83,400. The average salary for an auto damage appraiser in the United States is $73,400, with the range typically falling between $67,500 and $81,000. The average insurance appraiser salary in the United States is $71,769, with salaries ranging from $65,992 to $79,263.

The salary of an auto insurance appraiser also varies depending on the state. For example, in Utah, the average salary is approximately $86,820, making it the highest-paying state for this profession. On the other hand, the lowest average wages for this career are found in states such as Alabama and North Carolina, which tend to have lower costs of living.

Additionally, the salary of an auto insurance appraiser can be influenced by the industry they work in. For instance, professionals in the Retail Trade industry earn higher pay, with an average salary of $74,340. Meanwhile, those working in the Administrative, Support, and Waste Management Services industry tend to earn lower wages.

Salary by experience

The salary of an auto insurance appraiser can vary depending on their level of experience. The average salary for an auto damage appraiser is $50,000 a year, with the least experienced appraisers earning around $34,000 per year. However, more experienced appraisers can earn up to $76,000 per year.

Location also plays a significant role in determining the salary of auto insurance appraisers. For example, the average salary for an auto appraiser in California is $71,026 per year, while the national average is $71,769 per year. The highest salary for this profession is in Utah, where the average pay scale is $86,820.

The company that an auto insurance appraiser works for can also impact their salary. For instance, the average salary for an auto damage appraiser at Geico is $51,362, while the average salary at Progressive is $58,458 per year. USAA Insurance offers an even higher average salary of $71,587.

Auto insurance appraisers who work independently can earn between $60,000 and $80,000 per year once their business is established. They are paid based on the number of claims they process and can charge between $50 and $100 per claim, depending on their experience and clients.

Education and certifications can also impact the salary of auto insurance appraisers. While a minimum of a high school diploma is required, a bachelor's degree can lead to higher-paying positions. Additionally, the number of years of experience in the profession can influence salary levels, with more experienced appraisers typically earning higher wages.

Salary by company

The salary of auto insurance appraisers varies depending on their experience level, location, and the company they work for. Here is a breakdown of salaries by company:

Geico

The average auto damage appraiser salary at Geico is $51,362 according to their job listings.

Progressive

Progressive offers an average salary of $58,458 per year for auto damage appraisers.

USAA Insurance

USAA Insurance pays its auto damage appraisers an average of $71,587 per year.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers a competitive salary range for auto damage appraisers. In Connecticut, the salary is $60,700–$82,700, while in South Carolina, it is $53,200–$73,100.

Mercury Insurance Company

Mercury Insurance Company offers an average salary of $79,564 per year for auto appraisers, according to reviews and reported salaries.

TheBest Claims Solutions

TheBest Claims Solutions pays its auto appraisers an average of $75,667 per year, based on reviews and reported salaries.

California Average

The average salary for an auto appraiser in California is $71,026 per year, which is slightly higher than the national average.

National Average

The average salary for an auto damage appraiser in the United States is around $73,400 as of April 2024, with a range of $67,500 to $81,000. However, another source states the average to be $71,769 as of June 2024, with a range of $65,992 to $79,263.

Salary by city

The salary of an auto insurance appraiser varies depending on location, experience, company, and other factors. Here is a breakdown of salaries for auto insurance appraisers in different cities and states:

California

The average salary for an auto appraiser in California is $71,026 per year. The salary range for this role in West Los Angeles, California, is $48,700 to $83,400 per year. Mercury Insurance Company, one of the top companies for auto appraisers in the state, offers an average salary of $79,564 per year.

New York

New York City is one of the metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for insurance appraisers, auto damage. The average salary for an auto damage appraiser in the United States is $73,400, which can be used as a reference point for New York City.

Utah

Utah is the state where auto damage insurance appraisers earn the highest average salary, at approximately $86,820.

Massachusetts, North Carolina, Alabama

The salary of an auto damage appraiser in Massachusetts will differ from that in North Carolina and Alabama. However, specific salary figures for these states were not readily available.

Connecticut and South Carolina

Liberty Mutual offers varying salary ranges for auto damage appraisers in different states. In Connecticut, the salary range is $60,700 to $82,700, while in South Carolina, it is $53,200 to $73,100. This difference is likely due to the varying costs of living between these states.

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, is one of the metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels for insurance appraisers, auto damage. However, the specific salary figures for this area were not readily available.

Frequently asked questions