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Auto damage appraiser: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$78,240median pay per year, or $37.61 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $58,360lowest 10% earn less
  2. $65,05025th percentile
  3. $78,240median
  4. $91,88075th percentile
  5. $101,590top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for insurance appraisers, auto damage was $78,240 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 8.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-8.7%[2]
Openings per year
700[5]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[6]

How much do auto damage appraisers make?

The official BLS category is Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage. About 11,560 people were employed in it in May 2025, so it is a small occupation[7]. The median wage was $78,240 a year, or $37.61 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $78,900 a year, or $37.93 an hour[8].

For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[4]. That puts this group well above the all-occupations median.

Here is the spread of wages:

Point Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][9] $58,360 $28.06
25th percentile[3][9] $65,050 $31.28
Median[1] $78,240 $37.61
75th percentile[3][9] $91,880 $44.17
90th percentile[3][9] $101,590 $48.84

A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $58,360, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $101,590[3][10]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[11].

Pay by state and city

Kentucky had the highest median annual wage at $97,950, followed by Pennsylvania at $95,720 and New Jersey at $94,280[12]. Florida had the lowest median among the 38 states with published data, at $61,320[12].

Texas had the most jobs at 910, then Ohio at 820 and Massachusetts at 680[13]. Illinois (560) and California (550) rounded out the top five[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA had the highest median at $97,910[14]. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT followed at $89,740, then Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD at $84,370[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, with 470 and a median of $79,810[15].

Show median pay in 38 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Kentucky[12]$97,950n/a
Pennsylvania$95,720310
New Jersey$94,280n/a
Connecticut$89,740210
South Carolina$86,680220
Arizona$86,03040
Oregon$83,270170
Maryland$82,870n/a
Utah$82,57050
Oklahoma$82,340n/a
Georgia$81,470n/a
Virginia$81,470n/a
New York$81,150360
Massachusetts$79,930680
Maine$79,51050
Texas$79,200910
Iowa$79,090n/a
California$78,930550
Nevada$78,51080
Washington$78,450190
New Mexico$78,310n/a
Michigan$77,060310
Indiana$76,750250
Minnesota$76,460n/a
Idaho$76,110n/a
Wisconsin$75,260n/a
Kansas$75,080n/a
North Carolina$74,810520
Louisiana$72,040100
Colorado$71,600330
Mississippi$71,550120
Illinois$71,510560
Missouri$67,950190
Tennessee$67,080420
Arkansas$63,960n/a
Ohio$63,470820
Nebraska$62,35090
Florida$61,320n/a

How to become an auto damage appraiser

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education, with no related work experience needed and moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. The training details below come from a Handbook profile that covers a wider group of related occupations[16].

Licensing rules differ from state to state for claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners and investigators[20]. Some states have few requirements, and others require prelicensing education, a licensing exam, or both[20]. Check the laws in the state where you want to work[20].

In an O*NET survey of 16 workers, 31% said some college courses were required, 29% a post-secondary certificate, 24% a high school diploma or equivalent, and 15% an associate's degree[21].

What auto damage appraisers do

Auto damage appraisers estimate vehicle damage to set repair costs for insurance claim settlement[22]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as auto damage appraiser, field appraiser and material damage appraiser[24].

Where they work

Auto damage appraisers are often at automotive body shops, where they work out what vehicle damage will cost to fix[25]. Appraisers work outside more often than adjusters, inspecting damaged vehicles[25].

Auto damage appraisers usually keep regular hours and seldom work weekends[26]. For the wider group of claims workers, insurance carriers were the largest employer in 2025, at 54%[27].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of insurance appraisers, auto damage to decline 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 13,500 to 12,400 jobs[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5%[28].

BLS names productivity change as a factor. Specialized software and AI speed up appraisals, so appraisers can spend their time on harder claims[29].

Even with a decline, BLS projects about 700 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or switch fields, not just new jobs[5]. Each year, about 2.5% of workers leave the labor force and 3.8% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a small, well-paid occupation. The median of $78,240 is well above the $50,980 all-occupations median[1][4]. Entry typically takes a postsecondary nondegree award and moderate-term on-the-job training, which may last several months[6][19]. The outlook is the main caution. Employment is projected to fall 8.7%, while about 700 openings a year are still expected[2][5]. Appraisers typically work regular hours and spend much of their time at body shops[26][25].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[31].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an auto damage appraiser make an hour?
The median was $37.61 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $28.06 and the 90th was $48.84[9].
What education do you need to be an auto damage appraiser?
The typical entry education is a postsecondary nondegree award[6]. Auto damage appraisers typically have that award or experience in an auto repair shop estimating repair costs[17].
How long does it take to learn the job?
On-the-job training may last several months[19].
Is auto damage appraiser a growing job?
No. BLS projects employment to decline 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all occupations[2][28].
Which state pays auto damage appraisers the most?
Kentucky had the highest median at $97,950, followed by Pennsylvania at $95,720[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in the US was $78,240 per year and $37.61 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage is projected to decline 8.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 13,500 to 12,400 jobs (a change of -1,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: 10th percentile $58,360, 25th percentile $65,050, 75th percentile $91,880, 90th percentile $101,590. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 700 openings for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 11,560 people were employed as Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage was $78,900 per year and $37.93 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: 10th percentile $28.06, 25th percentile $31.28, 75th percentile $44.17, 90th percentile $48.84. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage jobs: Texas 910; Ohio 820; Massachusetts 680; Illinois 560; California 550. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (areas with at least 100 jobs): Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $97,910; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $89,740; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $84,370; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $82,750; Worcester, MA $81,880; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $79,810; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,110; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $78,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage jobs: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 470 (median $79,810); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 370 (median $75,730); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 350 (median $74,760); Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 330 (median $67,080); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 280 (median $84,370); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 270 (median $46,780). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators" covers Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 13-1032.00 survey of workers (16 respondents), education level they say is required: Some College Courses 31%, Post-Secondary Certificate 29%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 24%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 15% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 13-1032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser), Damage Appraiser, Field Appraiser, Field Inspector, Insurance Appraiser, Material Damage Appraiser. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators in 2025: Insurance carriers 54%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: Productivity change - share decreases as specialized software and artificial intelligence (AI) make the appraisal process more efficient, allowing appraisers to focus on more complex claims. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage: 2.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.8% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.