This is being move to this forum from CAT per Steve E.

I see a lot of adjusters with under 2 years on this site. I too am just starting off as an adjuster and have an IT and programming background with some knowledge of building components.  My brothers friend got me looking at being an adjuster after he pulled in an average of  $250K last few years.  He was in the Gulf in 2004 and 2005 and last year in Midwest.  He showed me Xactimate and I was able to learn it in a few days due to my background.  I went to some classes and received TX cert,  State Farm, AMFAM and recently Nationwide with NCA.  I am currently making $110K and debating whether to quit this month with storm season starting up.  I bought a used truck and trailer for pleasure from my brothers friend after the 2004 season so I am set there. I also recently bought laser measuring device, shoes (Tiger paws), 22' Little giant ladder and Custom Tool belt. Does anyone have any job leads or advice on where to get started?  Seeing what my brothers friend is making for working six months a year looks pretty good.  Can someone confirm this is realistic?  Any input apprectiated. I am ready to pull the trigger.

Make sure the gun is not pointed at your head when you pull the trigger, and there are no projectiles present.

All of what you and many others have stated as to income, (GROSS) is False and should not be construed as an average.

We have become our own worst enemy, by believing the lines of BS which have been proffered.

Just thought I'd throw a little honesty and humility into the mix.  Nothing like confusing the issue with facts, I know. 

I started working as a cat adjuster right after Katrina, like about 10,000 other warm bodies.  I did OK on my first storm, although I knew I was lucky to be deployed to S. FL after Wilma hit.  It was Dec. 3rd when I arrived in Miami, so that should let you know that I was taking the place of a warm body that DIDN'T do OK on his first storm.  I was able to work through about 120 claims in 6 weeks, then was asked to stay and work clean up on day rate.  I stayed another 6 weeks, and went home hoping to get another shot one day.  Luckily, about 6 weeks later, I was able to work a hail storm in N. AL.  On this particular storm, I was able to close over 300 claims in under 8 weeks.  They didn't keep any independants for clean up, choosing to do it with staffers only.  I was hoping to get to stay, but was not devastated, as I KNEW hurricane season was just around the corner.  In fact, my last day in AL was June 1st, the very first day of hurricane season.  I figured a month or two off would be nice before the hurricane work started.  Now it's March 10th, yes 91/2 months later, and I'm still waiting for that hurricane work.  Thankfully, I had a small landscape business when I left to try cat adjusting.  I was finally able to accept the REALITY that it may be awhile before my next work, and I started lining up some landscaping jobs.  I still try not to do anything too big, because I believe that at any time, I may be called to work a storm, and I don't want to leave a job unfinished.  In my short cat adjusting career, I have made a grand total of approx. 100K, minus the huge amount of expenses.  Probably grossed about 45-50K.  If you can take some advice from this, don't count your chickens before they hatch.  Have a plan B.  Don't expect to get rich in a career where you have to pay all your own expenses, including health insurance, fuel, vehicle, cell phone, camera, computer, other various sundry equipment, lodging, food, plus still pay all your bills at home.  Good luck with that.  It can be done, but it ain't easy.  For some reason, I liked my time doing it, and can't wait to do it again. I'm proud to say that I've only worked for one IA firm, and one carrier.  My firm calls me every two weeks to see if I'm still available, and I take that to mean they will use me as long as I'm available and they need someone.  They had me on stand by twice during last years non event hurricane season.  I count myself fortunate to have gotten on with a great IA Firm from the get go. 

Vander,
$110k (with benefits?) is nothing to sneeze at. The more important question to ask yourself is whether or not you enjoy what you are doing currently. Unless you dislike your job, I do not recommend you jump just for the money. What Fishhead posted is probably the norm for newer adjusters. And, if you are new to this site, CAT adjusting is not something you should get into without reading many of the other posts on this subject in the archives. Currently, a lot of very experienced adjusters are sitting around waiting. Unless you know someone or get lucky, you may be also be sitting around unless a few big storms hit.

Vander, I didn't even say anything about the most important fact of your post.  Do not QUIT your job until you are actually deployed, and even then, you should probably try to get a leave of abscence, or take vacation.  Try it first.  The only reason I was able to do it is because I was self employed, and I subbed my accounts out.  I know people that worked Katrina for less than reputable IA firms, only to find out months later that the money just ain't coming.  One friend is still owed nearly 80K, and will probably never see most of it.  He is now on the roster of my firm. 

And by the way, the shoes, they're called COUGAR Paws.