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Hourly Wage for Claims Representative I Salary in the United States

How much does a Claims Representative I make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Claims Representative I in the United States is $18, which translates to an annual salary of about $37,300.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $21 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $17 to $19 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $16 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Claims Representative I Salaries

A Claims Representative I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Claims Representative Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Claims Representative I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Claims Representative I (0-1 years): $37,297
  • Claims Representative II (1-3 years): $47,277
  • Claims Representative III (3-5 years): $52,599
  • Claims Representative Supervisor (5+ years): $74,666
  • Claims Service Manager (5+ years): $103,980
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Claims Representative I0-1 years$37,297
Claims Representative II1-3 years$47,277
Claims Representative III3-5 years$52,599
Claims Representative Supervisor5+ years$74,666
Claims Service Manager5+ years$103,980
View as Graph

How Do Claims Representative I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Claims Representative Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $41,300.
  • California: $41,200.
  • Massachusetts: $40,600.

Top Paying Cities for Claims Representative Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $47,100
  • San Francisco: $46,600
  • Oakland: $45,600

What Skills Can Increase a Claims Representative I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 29.44% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Customer Contact (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Customer Contact is the process of handling a query of the customer before, during, and after the purchase of any product or service.
  • Insurance Policies (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): insurance policies are a legal contract between the insurance company (the insurer) and the person(s), business, or entity being insured (the insured).
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 29.44%
Customer Contact 2.46%
Insurance Policies 1.43%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Claims Representative I's salary.

  • Gathering Information: Can increase your salary by up to 47%.
  • Pricing: Can increase your salary by up to 46%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Gathering Information $54,831
47%
Pricing $54,458
46%
Initiative $49,982
34%
Get Latest Data

Claims Representative I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Claims Representative I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $40,281. While startup companies pay approximate $34,138.

Claims Representative I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $34,138
Growth Stage 51~500 $36,095
Established 501~5000 $38,908
Enterprise 5000+ $40,281

Claims Representative I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Claims Representative I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Claims Representative positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Claims Representative I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Claims Representative I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$48,490$23.030%
Insurance$41,030$20.010%

Claims Representative I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Claims Representative I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$35,100
Average $37,300/year
$40,100
$2,925
Average $3,108/month
$3,342
$675
Average $717/week
$771
$17
Average $18/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $40,100 $3,342 $771 $19
Average $37,300 $3,108 $717 $18
25th Percentile $35,100 $2,925 $675 $17

Most common benefits for Claims Representative I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Claims Representative I

Here are companies hiring for Claims Representative I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Claims Representative I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Claims Representative I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Claims Representative I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Who is the highest paid insurance agent?

The highest paid insurance agent is Gideon du Plessis, who, despite failing in the 10th standard and not attending college, earns significantly. While the average salary for a Claim Representative ranges from $35,700 to $40,700, Gideon's annual commissions amount to an impressive Rs 7 crore (Rs 70 million) plus, showcasing his exceptional success in the industry.

3. What is a claims representative?

A claims representative is a professional who works for insurance companies, investigating claims made by policyholders to verify their accuracy and determine appropriate payouts and reimbursements. The salary for this role typically ranges from $35,700 to $40,700, with a mid-range salary of $38,300.

4. How much commission does UnitedHealthcare pay?

UnitedHealthcare offers a flat commission rate of 10% to brokers for all OBM plans, based on paid premium. Brokers not appointed by UnitedHealthcare will not receive commissions. The salary range for a Claim Representative is between $35,700 and $40,700, with a midpoint of $38,300, reflecting the compensation structure within the organization.

5. How much does a claims representative earn in USA?

A Claims Representative in the USA typically earns between $35,700 and $40,700 annually. The average salary falls around $38,300. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $17.14 to $19.57, with the average being about $18.41.

6. What skills do you need to be a claims handler?

To become an Insurance Claims Representative, you'll need strong customer service, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Being thorough, analytical, methodical, confident, and decisive is essential. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are also crucial. The salary for this role ranges from $35,700 to $40,700, with a midpoint of $38,300.

7. How much does a claims representative make at Great American insurance?

The salary for a Claims Representative at Great American Insurance typically ranges from $35,700 to $40,700 annually, with a mid-range salary of approximately $38,300. This is significantly lower than the national average estimate of $67,178 per year for this role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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