Disability Claims Examiner III Salary in the United States

How much does a Disability Claims Examiner III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Disability Claims Examiner III in the United States is $61,720 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Disability Claims Examiner III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,163
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,284 to $66,663
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,424

Key Factors That Influence Disability Claims Examiner III Salaries

A Disability Claims Examiner III'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Disability Claims Examiner III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Disability Claims Examiner III'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $59,607
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,799
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $62,089
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,155
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,302
Levels Salary
Entry Level Disability Claims Examiner III$59,607
Intermediate Level Disability Claims Examiner III$59,799
Senior Level Disability Claims Examiner III$62,089
Specialist Level Disability Claims Examiner III$64,155
Expert Level Disability Claims Examiner III$64,302

How Do Disability Claims Examiner IIIs 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 Disability Claims Examiner IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,336.
  • California: $68,077.
  • Massachusetts: $67,170.

Top Paying Cities for Disability Claims Examiner III

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: $77,847
  • San Francisco: $76,995
  • Oakland: $75,372

What Skills Can Increase a Disability Claims Examiner III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.64% 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.
  • Medical Management (Mentioned in 3.19% Job Postings): Medical management is an umbrella term that encompasses the use of IT for health, disease, care and case management functions. Designed to modify consumer and provider behavior to improve the quality and outcome of healthcare delivery.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.64%
Medical Management 3.19%
Financial Services 2.13%

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 Disability Claims Examiner III's salary.

  • Facilitation: Can increase your salary by up to 77%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Medical Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Facilitation $109,244
77%
Risk Management $74,681
21%
Medical Management $70,361
14%

Disability Claims Examiner III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Disability Claims Examiner III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,609. While startup companies pay approximate $56,485.

Disability Claims Examiner III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,485
Growth Stage 51~500 $59,710
Established 501~5000 $64,353
Enterprise 5000+ $66,609

Disability Claims Examiner III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Disability Claims Examiner III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Disability Claims Examiner positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Disability Claims Examiner III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Disability Claims Examiner III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$74,064$36.020%
Healthcare$67,892$33.010%

How Education impacts an Disability Claims Examiner III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Disability Claims Examiner III enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Disability Claims Examiner III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $61,173 and $65,500.

Disability Claims Examiner III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Disability Claims Examiner III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 40.0%
High School 40.0%
Associates 20.0%
Bachelors 40.0%
Masters 20.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Disability Claims Examiner III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Disability Claims Examiner III'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 August 01, 2026
$55,284
Average $61,720/year
$66,663
$4,607
Average $5,143/month
$5,555
$1,063
Average $1,187/week
$1,282
$27
Average $30/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,663 $5,555 $1,282 $32
Average $61,720 $5,143 $1,187 $30
25th Percentile $55,284 $4,607 $1,063 $27

Disability Claims Examiner III Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Disability Claims Examiner III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Claims Examiner IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $95,575 - a projected growth of 55% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Disability Claims Examiner III

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

Common company salaries for Disability Claims Examiner III

Here are companies hiring for Disability Claims Examiner III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Disability Claims Examiner III

1. Where can a Disability Claims Examiner III earn the most?

A Disability Claims Examiner III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Disability Claims Examiner III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Disability Claims Examiner III is $77,847.

2. What is the highest pay for Disability Claims Examiner III?

The highest pay for Disability Claims Examiner III is $71,163.

3. What is the lowest pay for Disability Claims Examiner III?

The lowest pay for Disability Claims Examiner III is $49,424.

4. What are the responsibilities of Disability Claims Examiner III?

Examines and adjudicates short- and long-term disability claims to determine eligibility, benefits, and ongoing entitlement under plan provisions. Reviews medical documentation, occupational information, and financial records to evaluate the validity of claims. Assesses plan definitions, regulatory guidelines, and clinical guidance to make accurate benefit determinations. Coordinates with claimants, physicians, and vocational or clinical resources to obtain and assess relevant information. Calculates benefit amounts, manages offsets, and documents decisions and rationale within the claims system. Ensures compliance with ERISA, state regulations, and company service standards. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Disability Claims Examiner III?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Disability Claims Examiner III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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