To become a claims adjuster you usually need a high school diploma or equivalent, then a state adjuster licence if your state requires one. In Florida, for example, an all-lines adjuster must be at least 18, a US citizen or legal alien with work authorization, a resident of the state and must pass any required written exam.
Claims adjusters decide how much an insurance company should pay after a loss. You inspect a damaged car or house, read the policy, talk to the people involved and work out a fair settlement. Some adjusters work for the insurer, and some, called public adjusters, work for the policyholder instead.
I've used two sources. The pay and education figures come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, and the licensing rules come from Florida's chapter 626, read on Online Sunshine, the Florida Legislature's site, as of October 2026. Licensing is state by state, so treat Florida as the worked example.
Claims adjuster pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Median pay, claims adjusters, examiners and investigators (May 2025) | $78,000 a year |
| Lowest 10% earned less than | $48,850 |
| Highest 10% earned more than | $117,040 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 376,100 |
| Projected change, 2025 to 2035 | Decline of 6% for the wider group |
| Openings each year | About 21,600 |
These are May 2025 medians, as published as of October 2026. Employment is projected to shrink, but BLS still expects thousands of openings each year as people retire or change jobs.
How to become a claims adjuster, step by step
- Get your diploma. BLS says a high school diploma or equivalent is typical for entry-level adjusters and examiners. Some employers prefer a bachelor's degree or insurance experience.
- Check your state's licence rules. BLS notes that some states have few requirements and others ask for prelicensing education, an exam, or both.
- Pass the exam if one applies. In Florida, section 626.866 requires you to pass any required written exam, unless an exemption applies.
- Get appointed. In Florida an all-lines adjuster can be appointed as an independent adjuster, a public adjuster apprentice or a company employee adjuster, but only one of those at a time.
- Start on small claims. BLS says new adjusters work on small claims under an experienced colleague and move to larger, more complex claims as they learn.
- Keep up your education. Florida section 626.869 says all-lines and public adjusters must complete continuing education.
Florida's two licence types
Florida keeps it simple on paper. Section 626.864 says you can hold a public adjuster licence or an all-lines adjuster licence, but not both at once. Under section 626.869, an all-lines licence lets you adjust every line of insurance except life and annuities.
| Licence | Who you work for | Key extra rule |
|---|---|---|
| All-lines adjuster | Usually the insurer, as an independent or company employee adjuster | Must be a Florida resident and pass any required exam |
| Public adjuster | The policyholder | Needs 6 months of continual appointment first, plus a $50,000 surety bond |
The public adjuster route
You can't start as a public adjuster in Florida. Section 626.865 says you must first have been appointed for the previous 6 months on a continual basis, for example as a public adjuster apprentice, an independent adjuster or a company employee adjuster. You also file a $50,000 bond, which has to stay in place for 1 year after the licence ends.
Apprentices need the same $50,000 bond under section 626.8651. A firm can't have more than four apprentices at once, and each supervising public adjuster can only be responsible for one. An apprentice can't sign contracts for the firm either.
Once you're licensed, section 626.854 sets the rules. A public adjuster can only solicit Monday to Saturday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Fees are capped too: ten percent of claim payments for claims tied to a state of emergency in the year after the declaration, and twenty percent for other claims.
Who pays adjusters the most
Your employer matters. BLS reported these medians for May 2025:
| Employer | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Federal government | $93,660 |
| Direct insurance carriers (except life, health and medical) | $79,280 |
| Agencies, brokerages and other insurance related activities | $76,130 |
| State government | $74,440 |
| Direct health and medical insurance carriers | $59,800 |
Direct insurance carriers are the biggest employer, with 35% of claims adjusters, examiners and investigators. If selling cover appeals more than settling claims, see how to become an insurance agent. And if the investigation side interests you, BLS says some insurers like hiring people trained as private investigators, so my guide on how to become a private investigator is a useful next read.
Skills that help
BLS lists four qualities that make a good adjuster. You'll need analytical skills to judge whether the insurer must pay and how much, and communication skills to get the right information from claimants, witnesses and medical experts.
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Attention to detail matters because small details in documents or damage can have large financial consequences. And you'll need interpersonal skills, because people making a claim are often upset, and you have to be understanding while staying firm on the policy.
The insurance underwriter career guide shows what it takes to get started in another field.
My verdict
Claims adjusting is one of the few careers paying a median close to $78,000 that you can start with a high school diploma and a state licence. The catch is that the field is shrinking and the licence rules change at the state line. Read your own state's statute before you pay for a course, and if you're in Florida, plan for the all-lines licence first and public adjusting later.
If you like researching careers, the statistician career guide is another good place to look.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be a claims adjuster?
Usually not. BLS says a high school diploma or equivalent is typical for entry-level adjusters, although some employers prefer a bachelor's degree or insurance experience.
Do claims adjusters need a licence?
It depends on the state. BLS says some states have few requirements, while others need prelicensing education, an exam or both. Florida licenses all-lines and public adjusters.
How much do claims adjusters make?
BLS reported a median of $78,000 a year for claims adjusters, examiners and investigators in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Can you become a public adjuster straight away in Florida?
No. Florida section 626.865 requires 6 months of continual appointment first, for example as an apprentice or independent adjuster, plus a $50,000 bond.
Who employs the most claims adjusters?
Direct insurance carriers, with 35% of claims adjusters, examiners and investigators, followed by agencies and brokerages and the federal government.
