Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks work in a large national occupation, with about 257,000 jobs and an entry path that typically begins with a high school diploma or equivalent. The role combines administrative work with customer- and detail-focused tasks, drawing heavily on skills such as customer service, computers and information technology, speaking and listening, and writing and reading. Strong math abilities, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving and decision making are also highlighted, indicating a blend of numerical and clerical responsibilities. Nationally, the median annual salary is $48,450, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. While projected employment growth is negative, there are still an estimated 20,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing movement and replacement needs within the field. For students, career changers, or professionals seeking stable office-based work that values accuracy, communication, and adaptability, this occupation offers a clearly defined pathway and a broad national employment base.
The national median annual salary for insurance claims and policy processing clerks is $48,450, providing a benchmark for evaluating offers and regional differences. Several states show higher median pay than this national figure. Washington reports a median salary of $60,220, Colorado $58,660, New York $57,790, California $56,800, and Massachusetts $52,910. This suggests that location can meaningfully influence earning potential. At the metro level, pay is even higher in certain areas. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro posts a median salary of $64,260, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $62,900, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $60,070. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers $58,580, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $55,950. Job seekers willing to consider these higher-paying states and metros may find stronger earning opportunities, keeping in mind that salary levels vary even among top locations.
Insurance claims and policy processing clerks represent a sizable occupation with 257,000 jobs nationally, but projected employment growth is -3.7%. This means total employment is expected to decline over the projection period. However, the occupation still shows an estimated 20,000 annual openings. These openings reflect ongoing hiring needs even as overall job numbers are projected to shrink, due to factors such as turnover, retirements, and other workforce changes that are not detailed here. For someone exploring this career, the data suggests a mixed outlook: a clearly established occupation with many existing positions and consistent annual openings, balanced against a negative growth projection. This combination may call for careful consideration of geographic choices, skill development, and long-term plans. Individuals who build strong competencies in the highlighted skills—such as computers and information technology, customer service, and detail orientation—may be better positioned to compete for available roles in this changing environment.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for insurance claims and policy processing clerks, based on salary, employment, growth, and CareerGPS opportunity scores. Among states, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $56,800, and 23,470 jobs, showing both higher pay and substantial employment. Massachusetts and New York follow closely, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 and median salaries of $52,910 and $57,790, respectively. Colorado and Washington also appear as strong options, each offering median pay above the national figure and opportunity scores above 56. At the metro level, differences are even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ top the list with opportunity scores above 77 and salaries around or above $60,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows both high pay ($64,260) and a strong opportunity score of 68.75. These patterns suggest that certain coastal and large metro areas may offer particularly attractive combinations of pay and opportunity.
The typical education requirement for insurance claims and policy processing clerks is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a career that is accessible without a college degree. However, the skill profile indicates that success depends on more than just meeting the minimum education level. Key skills include computers and information technology, customer service, interpersonal abilities, and strong writing and reading. Being detail oriented is emphasized, along with speaking and listening skills, which support effective communication with colleagues and customers. Mathematics and critical and analytical thinking highlight the need for comfort with numbers and careful evaluation of information. Adaptability and problem solving and decision making round out the list, pointing to a work environment where situations may change and clerks must choose appropriate actions. For students and career changers, focusing on building these competencies—through school, training programs, or on-the-job experience—can strengthen readiness for this occupation and support advancement within office and administrative roles.
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