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The differences between field adjusters and total loss specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a field adjuster and a total loss specialist. Additionally, a field adjuster has an average salary of $54,120, which is higher than the $51,718 average annual salary of a total loss specialist.
The top three skills for a field adjuster include customer service, xactimate and strong negotiation. The most important skills for a total loss specialist are customer service, HR, and outbound calls.
| Field Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,120 | $51,718 |
| Hourly rate | $26.02 | $24.86 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 51,071 | 33,617 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A field adjuster is an individual who creates property and contents estimates based on the field inspection using the Xactimate estimating software with photos and diagrams. Field adjusters are required to investigate and evaluate property damage to determine and negotiate a monetary settlement for each claim. They must complete reports and itemize billing to be submitted to insurance companies for services rendered. Field adjusters must provide exceptional customer service to all parties involved to aid in the settlement process and maintain customer satisfaction.
As a Total Loss Specialist, your job will involve appraising the damage and determining the salvage value on the total-loss vehicle. You will be tasked with examining the damaged vehicle to ascertain the extent of damage done to its body and structure and other mechanical, electrical, and internal damage. You'd also have to arrange with another appraiser to resolve any disagreement with the shop on the cost of repair after determining the extent of the damage to the vehicle.
Field adjusters and total loss specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Average salary | $54,120 | $51,718 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $75,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Zurich | - |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | - |
There are a few differences between a field adjuster and a total loss specialist in terms of educational background:
| Field Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between field adjusters' and total loss specialists' demographics:
| Field Adjuster | Total Loss Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.3% Female, 29.7% | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |