If you’ve just earned your Florida 6-20 All‑Lines Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) license, you are probably wondering what your first job will pay and how your income can grow over time.
Quick Overview: What New 6-20 Adjusters Can Expect
For a brand‑new Florida 6-20 ACA adjuster in a staff or entry‑level role, realistic pay typically falls in the low‑ to mid‑$40,000s up to the mid‑$50,000s per year, which works out to roughly $20–$26 per hour in many Florida markets. As you gain experience, especially if you move into field or catastrophe (CAT) work, your earning potential can increase significantly, sometimes into the $60,000+ range and higher in active storm seasons.
Typical Starting Pay for Staff Adjusters in Florida
Most new 6-20 ACA adjusters begin their careers as staff or desk adjusters working directly for an insurance company, third‑party administrator, or large employer such as a hospital system or self‑insured organization. These roles provide more predictable hours and steady pay, which makes them a solid foundation for learning claims handling.
- Entry‑level staff salary range: Common starting base salaries in Florida run around $40,000–$55,000 per year for new or trainee claims adjusters.
- Average entry‑level pay: Various job and salary aggregators show entry‑level claims adjuster averages in the $48,000–$55,000 range statewide, or about $23–$26 per hour.
- “All lines adjuster” benchmarks: Broader all‑lines adjuster averages in Florida (not strictly entry‑level) run close to $55,800 per year, or about $26.83 per hour.
Many new adjusters start on the lower half of these ranges and move up as they prove they can handle more complex files and larger caseloads.
Independent and Catastrophe (CAT) Work with a 6-20 License
Once you gain experience and decide to work as an independent adjuster (IA) or pursue catastrophe deployments, your pay structure usually changes from a fixed salary to day‑rates or per‑claim fees. This can increase your income potential, but it also introduces more variability and requires you to manage your own workload, expenses, and slower seasons.
- Independent/CAT average income: Some data sources place independent and catastrophe adjusters in Florida in the low‑ to mid‑$60,000s on average, although actual income can swing above or below that depending on storm activity and deployments.
- Daily CAT rates: Industry guides and field reports often show daily rates in the $350–$500+ per day range for catastrophe deployments, with higher‑producing adjusters in strong hurricane years reaching $50,000–$150,000+ annually.
- Per‑claim or fee‑schedule work: Some independent roles pay per claim, where total income depends on the number and type of claims you close during a deployment.
CAT work tends to involve long hours, extended travel, and physically demanding field inspections, but it also offers some of the highest upside for experienced all‑lines adjusters in Florida.
What This Means for You as a New Florida 6-20 ACA
As a new 6-20 ACA adjuster, a realistic target for your first full‑time staff job in Florida is often between about $42,000 and $52,000 per year, with some urban employers and larger carriers stretching into the mid‑$50,000s for strong candidates. In many cases, benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and bonus opportunities can add meaningful value on top of base salary.
- Years 0–1: Focus on landing that first staff or trainee adjuster role, building core skills, and learning claim systems and documentation.
- Years 1–3: With experience under your belt, transitioning into field, property, or CAT‑oriented roles can push you into the high‑$50,000s to $60,000+ range, especially in active storm years.
- Beyond 3 years: As you specialize or move into supervisory roles, your income can grow further through higher salaries, bonuses, or increased production as an independent adjuster.
The key is to treat your first job as a launch pad: work on your communication, documentation, and customer service skills so you are ready when higher‑paying field or CAT opportunities appear.
Start Here: OLT’s 40-Hour ACA Course (Exam-Waiver Option)
If you are still working on your license or want a stronger foundation before stepping into your first adjuster role, OnLine Training (OLT) offers a state‑approved 40-hour Accredited Claims Adjuster (ACA) Designation Course for the Florida 6-20 All‑Lines Adjuster license. This 100% online course can waive the Florida 6-20 state licensing exam for eligible students, letting you focus on mastering real‑world concepts instead of test‑taking.
- 40-hour, state‑approved ACA designation course designed specifically for the 6-20 All‑Lines Adjuster license.
- Automatic waiver of the Florida 6-20 state exam upon successful completion for eligible applicants, under current FLDFS rules.
- 100% online and self‑paced, with three months of access and extension options if you need more time.
- Immediate certificate of completion you can use with your license application.
- Email and phone support from experienced instructors to guide you through course topics and licensing steps.
You can enroll today in OLT’s ACA course here: Accredited Claims Adjuster Designation – 40-Hour Online Course. This course is a direct path to your 6-20 license and opens the door to staff, independent, and catastrophe adjuster opportunities across Florida.
Tips to Maximize Your Earning Potential with a 6-20 License
While salary ranges matter, how you manage your career in those first few years often matters even more. A strategic approach can help you grow from an entry‑level role into the higher‑earning positions that many adjusters aim for.
- Start with a role that offers strong training and mentorship, even if the salary is not at the top of the range.
- Ask for feedback on your files and cycle times so you can steadily improve productivity and quality.
- Network with experienced adjusters, field managers, and independent firms so you learn what skills are needed for CAT, property, and specialty lines.
- Stay current on Florida insurance regulations, policy forms, and catastrophe response best practices.
If you are ready to take the first step, visit our ACA course page at oltraining.com – 40-hour ACA Designation and get started on your Florida 6-20 adjuster journey today.
Florida 3-20 vs 6-20 Adjuster License FAQs
Do I need a 3-20 license to work as a new Florida 6-20 ACA adjuster?
No. You do not need a 3-20 license to start work as a new 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster in Florida. The 6-20 license is the one used by company (staff) adjusters and independent/catastrophe adjusters who handle claims on behalf of insurance carriers or IA firms.
What is the main difference between the 6-20 and 3-20 licenses?
The 6-20 All-Lines Adjuster license authorizes you to adjust claims for insurers or independent adjusting firms, not for the public. The 3-20 Public Adjuster license is specifically for adjusters who represent policyholders (the insured) against insurance companies and cannot be used to work for carriers or IA firms.
When should I think about getting my 3-20 license?
You should only consider the 3-20 license if you decide you want to change your role from working for insurance companies to representing policyholders as a public adjuster. For most new adjusters, the first step is to earn and use the 6-20 license, gain experience, and then decide later whether a public adjuster career path is the right fit.
Is the 3-20 license something new adjusters get right away?
No. Florida treats the 3-20 as a more advanced public adjuster license, and it is not typically obtained by brand-new adjusters. Most people start with the 6-20, work in staff or independent roles, and only pursue the 3-20 after getting real-world claims experience.
What experience do I need before I can get a 3-20 Public Adjuster license?
To qualify, you must first hold a 6-20 (or equivalent all-lines) license and work as an appointed adjuster or under a licensed public adjuster for a minimum period (at least six months under current rules) before you can apply and test for the 3-20. Many adjusters choose to gain 1–2 years of experience before moving into a public adjuster apprentice or 3-20 path so they have stronger claims skills and a better understanding of the industry.
If I only want to do staff, independent, or CAT work, do I ever need the 3-20?
No. If your goal is to work as a staff adjuster, independent adjuster, or catastrophe (CAT) adjuster for insurance companies or IA firms, the 6-20 license is all you need. The 3-20 license is only necessary if you specifically want to act as a public adjuster and represent policyholders in claims against insurers.
How should I explain this to new ACA students?
You can tell new ACA students that the 6-20 license (which they can earn through OLT’s ACA course) is the correct starting point for most adjuster careers in Florida. The 3-20 is an optional, later step for those who decide they want to become public adjusters and advocate directly for policyholders, and they can consult Florida DFS resources and advanced training when they are ready.
