What Insurance Sales Agents do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Insurance Sales Agents this way: "Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Call on policyholders to deliver and explain policy, to analyze insurance program and suggest additions or changes, or to change beneficiaries"; "Calculate premiums and establish payment method"; "Customize insurance programs to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks"; "Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies, including automobile, fire, life, property, medical and dental insurance, or specialized policies, such as marine, farm/crop, and medical malpractice"; "Interview prospective clients to obtain data about their financial resources and needs, the physical condition of the person or property to be insured, and to discuss any existing coverage".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Insurance Sales Agents
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 572,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 591,400 in 2035, an increase of 18,800 jobs (+3.3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 43,100 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 11.8% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $62,280, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Insurance Sales Agents earn the most
Across the 12 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $52,029 in Texas to $81,141 in Delaware, a gap of $29,111 (1.56 times). 9 of those 12 states average above the BLS national median of $62,280 and 3 average at or below it.
Florida employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 41,580, which is 14.4% of the 288,840 counted across them. Texas follows with 41,200.
Highest-paying states
Delaware ($81,141), New Jersey ($80,628) and New York ($77,658) lead the ranking, while Texas ($52,029) and Florida ($58,462) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Insurance Sales Agents: pay against the cost of living
We compare 15 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Philadelphia County, PA (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD) at $37,294. The smallest margin is $17,260 in Harris County, TX.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 15 of the 15 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 25.6% and 53.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Insurance Sales Agents
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (41-3000) include Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents, Advertising Sales Agents and Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel.
Frequently asked questions about Insurance Sales Agents
What is the national median wage for Insurance Sales Agents?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $62,280. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $52,029 to $81,141.
Which state pays Insurance Sales Agents the most?
Delaware, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $81,141. New Jersey is next at $80,628.
What is the job outlook for Insurance Sales Agents?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 43,100 openings a year.
What education do Insurance Sales Agents need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Insurance Sales Agents afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Philadelphia County, PA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $37,294 on a median wage of $81,540.