CDCareer Decision

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $80,370, with 70 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,420 at the 10th percentile to $82,760 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$80,370

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$38.64

Employment

70

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,420
10th
$46,420
25th
$80,370
Median
$81,840
75th
$82,760
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$80,370

Median annual · 2025

United States

$78,240

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 2.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,130).

Top skills

  1. 1.WritingImportance 3.8
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.5
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.4
  6. 6.Time ManagementImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Service OrientationImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 2.9
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 2.9
  12. 12.PersuasionImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Some College Courses
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • A-T Solutions Easy Street Draw
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • App Software Associations AppTrak.net
  • Cost estimating software
  • Disassembler software
  • Email software
  • Information Services Inc. CCC Pathways Appraisal Solution
  • Meridian Technologies SurePoint
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Mitchell International Mitchell WorkCenter

Common tasks

  • Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
  • Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
  • Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
  • Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
  • Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
  • Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
  • Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage salary in other locations

Other occupations in Des Moines, IA