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Underwriting assistant and claims clerk jobs: pay, outlook and how to enter

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$49,230median pay per year, or $23.67 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $37,560lowest 10% earn less
  2. $44,27025th percentile
  3. $49,230median
  4. $60,49075th percentile
  5. $73,590top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk earned $49,230 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to fall 1.9% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-1.9%[2]
Openings per year
17,500[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do insurance claims and policy processing clerks make?

This page uses the BLS category Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks as its data for underwriting assistant searches. The median pay was $49,230 a year, or $23.67 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $52,920 a year, or $25.44 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[4], so this job's median sat a little below it.

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,560 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $73,590[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[3][9] $37,560 $18.06
25th[3][9] $44,270 $21.29
Median[1] $49,230 $23.67
75th[3][9] $60,490 $29.08
90th[3][9] $73,590 $35.38

These figures cover wage and salary workers, full time and part time. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 214,260 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Among 49 states with published data, New Hampshire had the highest median at $60,650 a year[12]. Washington followed at $60,220 and New Jersey at $59,810[12]. Alabama had the lowest median of those states at $38,140[12].

Texas had the most jobs at 24,470, then California at 23,470 and Florida at 15,920[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Manchester-Nashua, NH had the highest median at $67,170[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA came next at $64,260, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $62,900[14]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City with 7,700, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim with 7,500 and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington with 7,100[15].

Show median pay in 49 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Hampshire[12]$60,650820
Washington$60,2203,730
New Jersey$59,8105,000
Connecticut$59,7602,430
Maine$58,8901,710
Colorado$58,6601,380
Minnesota$58,0303,580
New York$57,7908,120
California$56,80023,470
Massachusetts$52,9104,820
Montana$50,890360
Oregon$50,8902,640
Arizona$50,5308,350
Delaware$49,990720
Texas$49,88024,470
Pennsylvania$49,4207,020
Vermont$49,260390
Indiana$49,2405,190
Wisconsin$49,1705,140
Alaska$48,74040
Oklahoma$48,6501,530
Nebraska$48,4902,520
Illinois$48,4409,060
North Dakota$48,390550
Ohio$48,38011,160
Kentucky$48,3303,030
Nevada$48,3002,880
North Carolina$48,1306,570
Kansas$47,960800
Michigan$47,8606,410
Hawaii$47,420380
Idaho$47,200580
Florida$47,13015,920
Utah$47,1201,880
Maryland$47,0701,200
Wyoming$46,870170
Louisiana$46,8001,740
Georgia$46,5906,370
Iowa$46,4302,820
Virginia$46,4305,950
Missouri$46,0104,510
Tennessee$45,7205,470
South Dakota$45,6101,020
Arkansas$45,2201,500
West Virginia$44,7401,330
South Carolina$44,6504,110
Mississippi$43,8401,540
New Mexico$41,700920
Alabama$38,1402,110

How to become an insurance claims and policy processing clerk

The typical path looks like this:

In an ONET survey of 58 workers, 55% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required[16]. Another 21% named an associate's degree or other 2-year degree, and 7% named a bachelor's degree[16]. ONET places the job in Job Zone 1-2, which means very little to some preparation[17].

The training details in the Occupational Outlook Handbook come from a profile of financial clerks, a wider group that includes this job[18]. That profile says these workers typically learn their duties on the job[19]. It also lists communication, math and organizational skills as useful qualities[20][21][22]. Our facts do not say how long training lasts or name any license.

What insurance claims and policy processing clerks do

These clerks handle new policies, policy changes and claim forms[23]. They check information with policyholders and keep company records up to date[23]. Tasks listed by O*NET include:

Where they work

The Occupational Outlook Handbook says financial clerks are found in many industries and usually work in offices[25]. Most financial clerks work full time[26]. Insurance carriers and related activities were the largest employer group of financial clerks in 2025, at 19%[27]. Only 0.4% of Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks were self-employed in 2025[28].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 239,100 to 234,700 jobs, a loss of 4,400[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[29].

Even so, about 17,500 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings come from workers who retire or move to other occupations, not only from new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.3% of workers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The entry bar is modest. You need a high school diploma or equivalent, no related experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. Pay is close to the all-occupations median, at $49,230 against $50,980[1][4], and it ranges from $37,560 to $73,590 across the 10th to 90th percentiles[3]. The number of jobs is projected to shrink slightly[2], but the many yearly openings suggest that hiring still happens[5]. The work centers on forms, records and contact with policyholders[23][24].

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

Frequently asked questions

How much does an insurance claims and policy processing clerk make an hour?
The median was $23.67 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $25.44[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $18.06 and the 90th was $35.38[9].
What education do you need for this job?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with no related experience and moderate-term on-the-job training[6].
Is this job in demand?
Employment is projected to fall 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][29]. About 17,500 openings a year are still projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for this job?
New Hampshire had the highest median at $60,650 a year among 49 states with published data[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks in the US was $49,230 per year and $23.67 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks is projected to decline 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 239,100 to 234,700 jobs (a change of -4,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks: 10th percentile $37,560, 25th percentile $44,270, 75th percentile $60,490, 90th percentile $73,590. 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 17,500 openings for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks 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 Claims and Policy Processing Clerks: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; 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: the mean (average) wage for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks was $52,920 per year and $25.44 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. 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
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks: 10th percentile $18.06, 25th percentile $21.29, 75th percentile $29.08, 90th percentile $35.38. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 214,260 people were employed as Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks 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 Claims and Policy Processing Clerks jobs: Texas 24,470; California 23,470; Florida 15,920; Ohio 11,160; Illinois 9,060. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks (areas with at least 100 jobs): Manchester-Nashua, NH $67,170; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $64,260; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,900; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $62,310; Appleton, WI $62,170; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $61,460; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $61,410; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $61,390. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,700 (median $60,070); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 7,500 (median $50,630); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 7,100 (median $57,340); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 6,770 (median $50,620); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,460 (median $51,280); Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX 3,450 (median $48,280). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 43-9041.00 survey of workers (58 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 55%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 21%, Some College Courses 9%, Post-Secondary Certificate 8%, Bachelor's Degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. O*NET 43-9041.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Financial Clerks" covers Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks. 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 financial clerks in 2025: Insurance carriers and related activities 19%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks: 3.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% 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.