Insurance adjuster vs estimator

The differences between insurance adjusters and estimators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an insurance adjuster, becoming an estimator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an estimator has an average salary of $67,162, which is higher than the $57,315 average annual salary of an insurance adjuster.

The top three skills for an insurance adjuster include insurance policies, customer service and liability claims. The most important skills for an estimator are customer service, cost estimates, and project management.

Insurance adjuster vs estimator overview

	Insurance Adjuster	Estimator
Yearly salary	$57,315	$67,162
Hourly rate	$27.56	$32.29
Growth rate	-6%	-2%
Number of jobs	44,837	12,567
Job satisfaction	3	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	44	47
Years of experience	4	2

Insurance adjuster vs estimator salary

Insurance adjusters and estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Insurance Adjuster	Estimator
Average salary	$57,315	$67,162
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $80,000	Between $46,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	Hagerstown, MD	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Vermont
Best paying company	Cunningham Lindsey	BlackRock
Best paying industry	Insurance	Manufacturing

Differences between insurance adjuster and estimator education

There are a few differences between an insurance adjuster and an estimator in terms of educational background:

	Insurance Adjuster	Estimator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Insurance adjuster vs estimator demographics

Here are the differences between insurance adjusters' and estimators' demographics:

	Insurance Adjuster	Estimator
Average age	44	47
Gender ratio	Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%	Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	10%	4%

Differences between insurance adjuster and estimator duties and responsibilities

Insurance adjuster example responsibilities.

Achieve targeted performance goals in every aspect to manage costs and support Allstate's industry-leading operational standards.
Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
Train in Xactimate estimation and sketch programs.
Manage and dispose of claims in litigation by preparing and developing strategy with defense counsel and consensus relative to litigation handling.
Skil in complex arbitration and mediation negotiations.
Recommend files for arbitration or litigation base on evidence available and inability to compromise with adverse party.

Estimator example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain high CSI ratings measure by an independent consumer rating firm.
Manage prevailing wage for payroll and prepare and submit bi-weekly certify payroll reports.
Manage the estimating of a commercial & industrial plumbing and mechanical contracting business.
Facilitate all product installation and replacement of equipment; including scheduling electrical, plumbing, roofing, and crane operator subcontractors.
Review and modify drawings in AutoCad.
Coordinate with MEP consultants during the project.

Insurance adjuster vs estimator skills

Common insurance adjuster skills

Insurance Policies, 15%
Customer Service, 15%
Liability Claims, 9%
Auto Claims, 7%
Catastrophe Claims, 5%
Public Adjusters, 4%

Common estimator skills

Customer Service, 17%
Cost Estimates, 6%
Project Management, 6%
Repair Process, 4%
Work Ethic, 4%
Construction Projects, 4%