Insurance appraisers, auto damage

SOC Code: 13-1032
Also known as:
Appraisal Specialist, Appraiser, Auto Body Appraiser, Auto Body Repair Estimator, Auto Collision Estimator
Median Annual Salary
$76,650
-8.2% growth (2024-2034)
500
Openings/Year
9K
Current Jobs

What Insurance appraisers, auto damage Do

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

💰 Salary

$76,650
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

-8.2%
Decline

🎓 Education

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

500
Projected average per year

📚 On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

9,200

Projected Employment (2034)

8,400

Related Careers

Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

$68,730 • +0.0% growth
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Automotive body and related repairers

$51,680 • +1.6% growth
View →

Automotive service technicians and mechanics

$49,670 • +4.2% growth
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Transportation inspectors

$85,750 • +1.7% growth
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Top Skills Required

Writing
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
  • Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
  • Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
  • Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
  • Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
  • Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
  • Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word

📚 Entry-Level Education

Postsecondary nondegree award
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Some College
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Insurance appraisers, auto damage

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a insurance appraisers, auto damage:

Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician

5,464 degrees awarded • 273 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Insurance

2,147 degrees awarded • 75 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Insurance appraisers, auto damage

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become insurance appraisers, auto damage.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Georgia Athens, GA 265 A
2 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 119 B+
3 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 114 B+
4 University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 75 B
5 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 73 B
6 Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee Muskogee, OK 67 B
7 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC 62 B
8 Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa, OK 61 B
9 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 45 B
10 Appalachian State University Boone, NC 42 B
11 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY 36 B
12 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS 25 B
13 University of Mississippi University, MS 25 B
14 Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL 20 B
15 WyoTech Laramie, WY 145 C+
16 Dallas College Dallas, TX 133 C+
17 Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO 131 C+
18 Central Community College Grand Island, NE 97 C+
19 Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville Nashville, TN 90 C+
20 Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC 66 C+

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do insurance appraisers, auto damage make?
The median annual salary for insurance appraisers, auto damage is $76,650.
What education do insurance appraisers, auto damage need?
Most insurance appraisers, auto damage positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Common degree programs include Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician, Insurance.
Is becoming a insurance appraisers, auto damage a good career choice?
Insurance appraisers, auto damage is projected to see -8.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 500 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for insurance appraisers, auto damage?
Top colleges for aspiring insurance appraisers, auto damage include University of Georgia, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Florida State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Iowa. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to insurance appraisers, auto damage?
Insurance appraisers, auto damage may also be known as: Appraisal Specialist, Appraiser, Auto Body Appraiser, Auto Body Repair Estimator, Auto Collision Estimator, Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Body Estimator (Auto Body Estimator), Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser), Automobile Damage Estimator (Auto Damage Estimator), Automobile Damage Field Appraiser (Auto Damage Field Appraiser), Automotive Body Shop Estimator (Auto Body Shop Estimator), Automotive Claims Adjuster (Auto Claims Adjuster), Automotive Estimatics Inspector (Auto Estimatics Inspector), Automotive Estimator (Auto Estimator), Body Shop Estimator, Claims Appraiser, Collision Appraiser, Collision Center Estimator, Collision Estimator. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.