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What is a claims technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Claims technicians are individuals who typically work for insurance companies. They fall under the category of insurance claims clerks. As a claims technician, your purpose will be to gather information from the insured or designated person for the purpose of settling claims with the insurance carrier.

Some of the duties and responsibilities that you will be performing in this capacity include analyzing proposal forms received from potential customers, gathering necessary information, using standard practices to determine the claim's legal status, checking claim details, asking for evidence, and arranging for immediate payment to be made if the claim permits. Essential skills required to successfully complete these tasks are analytical, attention to detail, communication, interpersonal, and customer service.

To qualify for this role, no formal educational requirements exist. However, having a high school diploma or a GED may prove beneficial. Moreover, various institutes offer certifications and diplomas to further polish your skills. Employers may prefer individuals with prior work experience in the related field. The average hourly pay for this position is $11.95, which amounts to $24,862 annually.

ScoreClaims TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.0

Avg. Salary $38,978

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.2

Growth rate -3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.48%

Asian 3.89%

Black or African American 13.78%

Hispanic or Latino 14.38%

Unknown 4.28%

White 63.20%

Gender

female 74.95%

male 25.05%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Claims technician career paths

Key steps to become a claims technician

  1. Explore claims technician education requirements

    Most common claims technician degrees

    Bachelor's

    45.9 %

    Associate

    26.3 %

    High School Diploma

    15.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific claims technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Data Entry21.00%
    Veterans15.91%
    Customer Service10.78%
    Processing Claims6.08%
    Medical Terminology5.33%
  3. Complete relevant claims technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New claims technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a claims technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real claims technician resumes.
  4. Research claims technician duties and responsibilities

    • Investigate, evaluate, and manage call to complete coverage analysis confirming or denying coverage using Xactimate estimating software.
    • Provide codes for medical policies using ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS.
    • Interpret body parts for workers comp claims with correct CPT and ICD-9 codes.
    • Maintain client privacy by keeping protect health information confidential and complying to HIPAA policies.
  5. Prepare your claims technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your claims technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a claims technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable claims technician resume templates

    Build a professional claims technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your claims technician resume.
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
    Claims Technician Resume
  6. Apply for claims technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a claims technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first claims technician job

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Average claims technician salary

The average claims technician salary in the United States is $38,978 per year or $19 per hour. Claims technician salaries range between $31,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average claims technician salary
$38,978 Yearly
$18.74 hourly

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Claims technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2021
Cons

When customers are not satisfied even when you know you have delivered the best service you could have and have gone beyond the call of duty in delivering same. They appear to not understand the dynamics of the process even if explained to them


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

I am able to help clients with their claims. I can sympathize with families who have lost their loved one.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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