Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$78,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $78,240
State Rank
#18 of 38
550 employed here

How much does an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage make in California?

An Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage working in California earns a median salary of $78,930 per year, or about $37.95 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $78,240 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $53,530 while the top 10% make $109,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,450 and $101,120 a year.

Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$53,530$25.74
25th percentile (early career)$74,450$35.79
50th percentile (median)$78,930$37.95
75th percentile (experienced)$101,120$48.62
90th percentile (top earners)$109,930$52.85

How California compares

California ranks 18th out of 38 states and territories for Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Kentucky$97,950
2Pennsylvania$95,720
3New Jersey$94,280
4Connecticut$89,740
5South Carolina$86,680

Working as an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage in California

Nationally, about 12,000 people work as Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in the United States. Some college coursework (without completing a degree) is the typical background.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($78,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage make in California?
The median Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage salary in California is $78,930 per year, or about $37.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $53,530 at the entry level to $109,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage about 1% more than the national median of $78,240. California ranks 18th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,930 a year. About 550 Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.