Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks fall under the Office and Administrative Support category in the U.S. occupational classification. Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks earn a median salary of $48,450 per year, ranking in the top 67% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -3.7% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do insurance claims and policy processing clerks earn?

The median annual wage for insurance claims and policy processing clerks is $48,450. That puts insurance claims and policy processing clerks at #544 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is insurance claims and policy processing clerks a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for insurance claims and policy processing clerks is -3.7%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 256K positions in 2024 to 247K in 2034, a net change of -9K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do insurance claims and policy processing clerks do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working insurance claims and policy processing clerks, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Transmit claims for payment or further investigation.
2. 2.Notify insurance agent and accounting department of policy cancellation.
3. 3.Prepare insurance claim forms or related documents, and review them for completeness.
4. 4.Review insurance policy to determine coverage.
5. 5.Process and record new insurance policies and claims.
6. 6.Review and verify data, such as age, name, address, and principal sum and value of property, on insurance applications and policies.
7. 7.Compare information from application to criteria for policy reinstatement, and approve reinstatement when criteria are met.
8. 8.Examine letters from policyholders or agents, original insurance applications, and other company documents to determine if changes are needed and effects of changes.

Top skills for insurance claims and policy processing clerks

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become insurance claims and policy processing clerk?

Many insurance claims and policy processing clerks enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
  $74,260 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
  $66,140 median
• Brokerage Clerks
  $62,940 median
• Postal Service Clerks
  $61,630 median
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
  $57,770 median
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
  $57,490 median

Common questions parents ask about insurance claims and policy processing clerks