Insurance Adjuster
Insurance adjusters investigate insurance claims, make recommendations about paying benefits from insurance policies, and negotiate payments and settlements.
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Adjuster, Investigator
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Insurance adjusters may work for insurance companies or work independently under a fee-for-service agreement. Those employed by insurance companies are called staff or company adjusters.
Whether they are self-employed or work for an independent adjusting firm, independent adjusters may represent either an insurance company or an insured person.
Insurance claims may arise from auto accidents, fires, industrial accidents, theft, product defects, professional errors, or aircraft mishaps. In general, adjusters:
When people present insurance claims, adjusters:
Determining and documenting the validity of a claim often involves interviewing or corresponding with policy holders, claimants, or witnesses. It can involve obtaining statements and copies of documents from police officers, medical personnel, and others with special expertise.
Experienced adjusters work alone most of the time. While they are training, they work under close supervision. They may work mostly in an office writing reports and making phone calls, or away from the office interviewing people and gathering evidence. Depending on the nature of the claims they handle, adjusters may need to travel a lot to inspect damage and interview claimants, witnesses, and police officers. Defending decisions in mediation, settlement conferences, and trials can be stressful.
Evening and weekend work is sometimes required. Adjusters may be on call after regular office hours.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Insurance adjusters
2023 OaSIS: 12201.01
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Insurance adjusters need:
They should enjoy analyzing information and taking a methodical approach to their work. They should like negotiating with people and making decisions.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 20 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 15, 2022 and Aug 27, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
Tasks: Examine records and reports to determine insurance coverage | 14 |
---|---|
Tasks: Ensure settlements are made according to company practices and procedures | 13 |
Tasks: Review and examine insurance claims | 11 |
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 10 |
Work Setting: Insurance company | 9 |
Tasks: Consult with claimants, accident witnesses, doctors and others | 8 |
Tasks: Examine adjusters' reports, insurance claims and precedents to determine extent of insurance coverage | 7 |
Tasks: Consult lawyers, doctors or other individuals to discuss insurance claims | 7 |
Tasks: Determine validity of claims | 7 |
Attention to detail | 6 |
Insurance adjusters need a combination of related education and on-the-job experience.
Employers prefer to hire people who have at least a high school diploma. Some post-secondary education is a definite asset. Adjusters who do out-of-office investigations need a driver’s licence.
People already working in the insurance field normally take training offered by the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC). The IIC offers 2 designation programs: Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP). IIC courses are available in class, virtually, and by distance education through selected post-secondary schools.
Before enrolling in an education program, prospective adjusters should discuss their training options with potential employers.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Insurance adjusters investigate insurance claims on behalf of insurers or individuals. They recommend whether to pay benefits from insurance policies, and negotiate payments and settlements.
Under Alberta’s Insurance Act [pdf] and Insurance Agents and Adjusters Regulation [pdf], you must be licensed by the Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) to work as an independent insurance adjuster in Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Insurance Adjuster.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Some insurance adjusters begin as clerical workers or telephone adjusters in the claims departments of insurance companies or in independent adjusting firms. They expand their knowledge and experience in the field from there.
With additional training, telephone adjusters can be promoted to claims examiners, field adjusters, supervisors, or claims managers.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Insurance adjusters and claims examiners
2016 NOC: 1312
96.1% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $19.23 | $41.21 | $28.73 | $25.00 |
Overall | $21.56 | $51.52 | $34.90 | $33.10 |
Top | $23.00 | $68.68 | $42.28 | $44.23 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
ALL INDUSTRIES | $68,317 |
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Public Administration | $64,028 |
Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) website: www.abcouncil.ab.ca
Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) website: www.insuranceinstitute.ca
IIC, Career Connections website: www.career-connections.info
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.