Business & Finance
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Also called: Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser), Damage Appraiser
US median pay
$78,240
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-8.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
700
13,500 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Administrative3.1/5
- Education and Training3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Some college31%
- Post-secondary certificate29%
- High school diploma24%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.