How to hire a worker's compensation claims examiner

How to hire a worker's compensation claims examiner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step worker's compensation claims examiner hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a worker's compensation claims examiner job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new worker's compensation claims examiner
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a worker's compensation claims examiner do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a worker's compensation claims examiner, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A worker's compensation claims examiner's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, workers's compensation claims examiner from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of workers's compensation claims examiner and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Worker's Compensation Claims Examiner	Description	Hourly rate
   Worker's Compensation Claims Examiner	Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators evaluate insurance claims. They decide whether an insurance company must pay a claim, and if so, how much... Show more	$15-40
   Adjuster	An adjuster is responsible for evaluating the extent of loss in the company by calculating the damage costs, determining the settlement payment to the client, and managing the reputation of the company for claims accountability. Adjusters must have extensive knowledge of the insurance principles and processes, following the state and federal regulations to protect clients and the business from insurance fraud... Show more	$16-32
   Appraiser	An appraiser is someone who assesses the monetary value of a property such as an automobile, real property, and personal claim. His/Her or her responsibilities include resolving disparities between a property's monetary values and preparing narrative reports for projects... Show more	$13-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Rehabilitation
   • Social Security
   • Litigation
   • Medical Management
   • Workers Compensation Claims
   • TPA
   • Medical Treatment
   • Medical Reports
   • Claims Resolution
   • Compensation Benefits
   • Medical Benefits
   • Insurance Carriers
   • Claims Handling
   • Death Claims

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all aspects of claims, including heavy litigation and vocational rehabilitation cases.
   • Negotiate settlements and actively manage the litigation process and process complex and technically difficult claims.
   • Determine benefits when processing medical claims receive as HCFA and UB92 paper claims or electronically.
   • Set up vehicle inspections, and rental reservations as a part of the claim settlement process.
   • Handle incoming calls from customers and providers with policy changes and claim status updates and maintain HIPAA.
   • Process claim forms, adjudicates for provision of deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance maximums and provider settlements and Medicaid claims.

   More worker's compensation claims examiner duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your worker's compensation claims examiner job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A worker's compensation claims examiner salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a worker's compensation claims examiner in Louisiana may be lower than in California, and an entry-level worker's compensation claims examiner usually earns less than a senior-level worker's compensation claims examiner. Additionally, a worker's compensation claims examiner with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average worker's compensation claims examiner salary

   $53,581yearly

   $25.76 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level worker's compensation claims examiner salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 12, 2025

   Average worker's compensation claims examiner salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$90,850	$44
   2	Washington	$70,726	$34
   3	New York	$59,876	$29
   4	District of Columbia	$58,434	$28
   5	Michigan	$57,889	$28
   6	Colorado	$57,512	$28
   7	Arizona	$56,907	$27
   8	Pennsylvania	$56,342	$27
   9	Oregon	$54,985	$26
   10	Massachusetts	$54,838	$26
   11	Texas	$52,615	$25
   12	Ohio	$51,187	$25
   13	Florida	$50,393	$24
   14	Virginia	$48,299	$23
   15	Maryland	$46,154	$22
   16	Kentucky	$45,311	$22
   17	Illinois	$44,951	$22
   18	Minnesota	$44,855	$22
   19	New Hampshire	$43,458	$21
   20	North Carolina	$42,380	$20

   Average worker's compensation claims examiner salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Zurich	$86,747	$41.71	82
   2	Chubb	$86,721	$41.69	147
   3	Great American Insurance	$86,659	$41.66	69
   4	PMA Companies	$81,080	$38.98	3
   5	Covenant	$76,593	$36.82
   6	Raphael & Associates	$72,802	$35.00	3
   7	Nationwide	$69,850	$33.58	17
   8	Knight Transportation	$66,053	$31.76
   9	ICONMA	$63,626	$30.59
   10	Sedgwick LLP	$61,726	$29.68	775
   11	Crawford & Company	$58,537	$28.14	25
   12	Landair Express	$55,984	$26.92
   13	The Independent Traveler	$54,952	$26.42	65
   14	The Jonus Group	$54,241	$26.08	46
   15	DHL	$52,649	$25.31
   16	Kelly Services	$51,235	$24.63	2
   17	Florida Dept. of Health	$37,629	$18.09

4. Writing a worker's compensation claims examiner job description

   A job description for a worker's compensation claims examiner role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a worker's compensation claims examiner job description:

   Worker's compensation claims examiner job description example

   Zurich is growing our Workers Compensation Claims team in California! We have multiple opportunities available to work out of our Rancho Cordova or Woodland Hills office in California. While this position will be based out of either our Rancho Cordova or Woodland Hills, CA offices, we are offering the flexibility to work both in the office and remotely. You will collaborate with your manager to set a schedule that supports you, our customers and the team.
   
   If you are ready for a career move, consider working for a company with a global footprint that offers an excellent work/life balance, terrific benefits including an incentive plan, 401K match and a second 401K company contribution, flexible work options, summer hours and a great culture.
   
   To handle Workers' Compensation claims of moderate to high exposure and complexity within specific authority limits, to ensure that claims are handled in the most efficient, effective way while delivering a customer-centric claims service.
   Job Accountabilities: Document claims file by accurately capturing and updating claims data/information in compliance with best practices for single and multi-party personal or commercial line claims of moderate to high exposure and complexity. Exercise judgment to determine liability by gathering and analyzing relevant facts; utilizing applicable law; establishing basic principles of negligence. Exercise judgment to determine policy verification and coverage determination by analyzing applicable coverage for claims and determining whether the loss falls within the coverage. Work to have a timely resolution to claims by developing case strategy; developing a case evaluation; escalating issues as appropriate. Establish timely reserves and perform ongoing review throughout claims cycle within authority limit by estimating and validating value of claims. Assess damages by calculating applicable damages or range of damages allowed by law. Negotiate settlement of claim by establishing appropriate negotiation strategy and utilizing available tools and resources within authority limits. Meet quality standards by following best practices Basic Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
   OR Juris Doctor and 2 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
   OR Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an Associate Degree with 6 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
   OR Completion of Zurich Claims Training Program and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
   OR High School Diploma Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
   AND Must obtain and maintain required adjuster license(s) Microsoft Office experience Knowledge of insurance regulations, markets and products Preferred Qualifications: Effective verbal and written communication skills Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills Strong multi-tasking and prioritization skills Experience collaborating in a team environment and building cross functional working relationships Proactively shares and promotes sharing of insights Ability to gather unique perspectives from other teams/functions to optimize outcomes. Understands, analyzes, and applies the component parts of an insurance policy for complex claims Ability to follow reserving process for indemnity and expense in analyzing the potential exposure of complex claims Ability to determine the scope and exposure for complex claims Ability to leverage trend and relationships to provide high-quality customer service Well-versed in identifying, understanding and explaining complex financial and/or actuarial trends/concepts. Ability to effectively communicate coverage determinations to customers/clients/brokers for complex claims Ability to direct counsel on an ongoing basis to guide the course of complex litigation and settlement strategies
   As a condition of employment at Zurich, employees must adhere to our COVID-related health and safety protocols ( ), including, without limitation, a requirement that employees attest as to their vaccination status with a YES/NO, and upload proof of vaccination status, or a negative COVID test result when applicable, to a third-party vendor. These protocols are continuously re-evaluated and the requirements may change at any time.
   
   A future with Zurich. What can go right when you apply at Zurich?
   
   Now is the time to move forward and make a difference. At Zurich, we want you to share your unique perspectives, experiences and ideas so we can grow and drive sustainable change together. As part of a leading global organization, Zurich North America has over 150 years of experience managing risk and supporting resilience. Today, Zurich North America is a leading provider of commercial property-casualty insurance solutions and a wide range of risk management products and services for businesses and individuals. We serve more than 25 industries, from agriculture to technology, and we insure 90% of the Fortune 500 . Our growth strategy is not limited to our business. As an employer, we strive to provide ongoing career development opportunities, and we foster an environment where voices are diverse, behaviors are inclusive, actions drive equity, and our people feel a sense of belonging. Be a part of the next evolution of the insurance industry. Join us in building a brighter future for our colleagues, our customers and the communities we serve. Zurich maintains a comprehensive employee benefits package for employees as well as eligible dependents and competitive compensation. Please click here to learn more.
   
   As a global company, Zurich recognizes the diversity of our workforce as an asset. We recruit talented people from a variety of backgrounds with unique perspectives that are truly welcome here. Taken together, diversity and inclusion bring us closer to our common goal: exceeding our customers' expectations. Zurich does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status. EOE disability/vet
   
   Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Any unsolicited resume will become the property of Zurich American Insurance. If you are a preferred vendor, please use our Recruiting Agency Portal for resume submission.
   
   Location(s): AM - Woodland Hills, AM - Rancho Cordova
   Remote Working: Hybrid
   Schedule: Full Time
   
   Linkedin Recruiter Tag:

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find workers's compensation claims examiner for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your worker's compensation claims examiner job on Zippia to find and recruit worker's compensation claims examiner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit workers's compensation claims examiner, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new worker's compensation claims examiner

   Once you've selected the best worker's compensation claims examiner candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new worker's compensation claims examiner. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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