Insurance Sales Agents

SOC: 41-3021 O*NET: 41-3021.00
Median Salary
$60,370
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
47
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

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.

What does a Insurance Sales Agents do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$36,390
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,520
25th percentile
Median
$60,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$91,150
75th percentile
Top Earners
$135,660
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$36,390
25th
$45,520
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,370
Mean: $81,510
75th
$91,150
90th
$135,660
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $99,270 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $45,520 and $91,150
  • Salary spread is 75.6% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 469,480 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:568,800

Top Industries

Finance and Insurance96.3%
Insurance Carriers and Related Activities95.3%
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities78.5%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+3.7%
Annual Openings:47,000

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)568,800
Current
2034 (Projected)589,800
+3.7%
+21,100
Employment Change
+3.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Insurance Sales Agents professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
44,670 jobs$47,5301.06x
Florida
44,080 jobs$59,7901.47x
California
41,150 jobs$64,9900.75x
New York
20,990 jobs$75,8600.72x
North Carolina
19,540 jobs$57,1101.31x
Georgia
19,520 jobs$50,2101.32x
Illinois
17,640 jobs$59,3400.96x
Pennsylvania
17,600 jobs$62,2300.96x
Ohio
15,750 jobs$59,9900.94x
Virginia
14,090 jobs$59,5701.14x
Indiana
12,980 jobs$61,7101.34x
Michigan
12,310 jobs$58,9100.92x
New Jersey
11,080 jobs$78,0800.86x
Washington
10,430 jobs$58,6600.97x
Massachusetts
10,360 jobs$77,6600.93x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Persuasion
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Time Management
60%
#8
Service Orientation
54%
#9
Negotiation
46%
#10
Social Perceptiveness
40%

Skills Overview

Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Persuasion
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Time Management
intermediate3.0
60%
Service Orientation
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Persuasion

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Time Management

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Service Orientation

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Negotiation

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Bill and Account Collectors100%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes82%
5 shared skills
Customer Service Representatives82%
5 shared skills
Fundraisers82%
5 shared skills
Home Health Aides82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Learn on the Job:
  • Writing
  • Time Management
  • Service Orientation

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Insurance Sales Agents

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Dynamics

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Zoom

🔥 Hot Tech

Adobe After Effects

🔥 Hot Tech

Facebook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Adobe After Effects
Facebook
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (12)Planning & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1

Call on policyholders to deliver and explain policy, to analyze insurance program and suggest additions or changes, or to change beneficiaries.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform
2

Calculate premiums and establish payment method.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Customize insurance programs to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

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.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

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.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Planning & Development85% perform
7

Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote sale of insurance plans.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Planning & Development82% perform
8

Contact underwriter and submit forms to obtain binder coverage.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Ensure that policy requirements are fulfilled, including any necessary medical examinations and the completion of appropriate forms.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Confer with clients to obtain and provide information when claims are made on a policy.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
  • 37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Insurance Sales Agents

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Insurance Sales Agents professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value relationships

EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Insurance Sales Agents

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.70

Independence

Critical

Independence

Importance Level4.68

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.54

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.41

Achievement/Effort

Very Important

Achievement/Effort

Importance Level4.40

Initiative

Very Important

Initiative

Importance Level4.34

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.7
Independence
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Persistence
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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