Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser Salary: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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The median annual wage for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (SOC 13-1032) in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN was $75,730 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $61,570 and $76,490. This is the broader occupation used for Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser, not a separately surveyed rate for that title or credential.
Broader occupation Our title "Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser" is reported by BLS as SOC 13-1032 Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage. BLS groups Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser within Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
For Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (SOC 13-1032), the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN annual median is $2,510 below the national median of $78,240 (-3.2%).
Annual wages: Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (SOC 13-1032)
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (SOC 13-1032), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, annual wages: 10% earned less than $48,270, half earned less than the median of $75,730, 90% earned less than $96,570 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,270 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $61,570 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $75,730 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $76,490 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $96,570 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $71,570 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (SOC 13-1032)
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage (SOC 13-1032), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $23.21, half earned less than the median of $36.41, 90% earned less than $46.43 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.21 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $29.60 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $36.41 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $36.78 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $46.43 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $34.41 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
National comparison
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,360 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $65,050 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $78,240 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $91,880 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $101,590 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $78,900 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 13-1032 Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Other markets
These are other target markets with published figures, not nearby areas.
All Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser figures | All roles in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
What belongs in the pay comparison for Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser?
Flat-rate production pay is part of the wage discussion. Ask how assigned work, diagnostic time and paid comeback work affect the actual paycheck. Overtime, tool allowances and employer benefits need separate discussion from the published straight-time gross wage.
Published wages are not a complete offer for this specific seat. The occupation is Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage, SOC 13-1032. BLS groups Collision Estimator / Damage Appraiser within Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Automotive Shop Foreman (49-1011)What changed since May 2024
SOC 13-1032. Published annual median: $59,980 (May 2024) and $75,730 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.