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Insurance Sales Agents

Typical education: Associate degreeHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $62,280 Median per year · $29.94/hr Most earn $37,330–$138,140

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Seek out new clients and develop clientele by networking to find new customers and generate lists of prospective clients.
  • Monitor insurance claims to ensure they are settled equitably for both the client and the insurer.
  • Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote sale of insurance plans.
  • Calculate premiums and establish payment method.
  • Plan and oversee incorporation of insurance program into bookkeeping system of company.
  • Install bookkeeping systems and resolve system problems.

Job outlook

United States
3% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 43,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Insurance agencies and brokerages63.0%
  • Self-employed (their own business)11.8%
  • Direct insurance (except life, health, and medical) carriers8.1%
  • Direct health and medical insurance carriers5.3%
  • Other insurance related activities3.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: Up to 1 month

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Associate degreeExperience before this job: Up to 1 monthEntry-level

Insurance sales is an entry-level career. Most people start after an associate degree or other training, then get a state insurance license, which usually takes a few months. Many agents begin right after that, with little or no prior work experience.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build strong communication, math, and people skills, which are the core of selling insurance and explaining policies to clients.

  2. Associate degree in business, finance, or a related field

    2 years

    This is the typical education level for this job. It teaches basic business, math, and customer skills that help you learn insurance products quickly.

  3. State insurance license (pre-licensing course and exam)

    1-3 months

    Most states require agents to pass a licensing course and exam before selling policies. Getting licensed is what lets you start working as an agent.

  4. Insurance Sales Agent

    Entry level

    You start selling life, property, car, health, or other insurance, either for an insurance company or as part of an agency, and build your client base over time.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Insurance Agent

    3-5 years of experience first

    You manage larger or more complex accounts, mentor newer agents, and bring in more business through referrals and repeat clients.

  2. Personal Financial Advisor

    2-4 years of experience first

    You expand from insurance into broader money planning, such as investments and retirement. This role usually requires a bachelor's degree and further licensing.

  3. Insurance Agency Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You oversee a team of agents, set sales goals, and manage the agency's daily operations, which takes strong leadership and business skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and any business or economics classesMath and money-related courses build the number skills used in quoting and comparing coverage.
  • Join a debate, public speaking, or DECA-style clubSpeaking clearly and persuading people in a friendly way are key parts of selling insurance.
  • Get a part-time job in retail or customer serviceWorking with customers every day builds the listening and problem-solving skills that agents use.
  • Volunteer with a community group that helps families with budgets or paperworkThis shows you can explain financial information to people who may be unsure about it.

In college

  • Pick an associate or bachelor's program in business, finance, or risk managementThese programs teach insurance basics, sales, and the money concepts behind policies.
  • Take a sales or marketing courseLearning how to prospect, follow up, and close deals gives you a head start in the job.
  • Find a campus job in sales, customer service, or a bank or credit unionReal customer experience helps you build confidence and gives you a reference for future employers.
  • Apply for an internship at an insurance agency or insurerAn internship lets you see daily agency work and make contacts before you graduate.
  • Join a business or finance student clubClubs offer networking, leadership practice, and connections to local professionals.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for part-time or entry-level sales, customer service, or office jobs at an insurance agency or bank. Seeing how agencies work helps you decide if this is right for you.
  • Ask your school or local community college about business or finance associate degree programs, and check your state's insurance department website to learn what licensing requires where you live.
  • Practice explaining things simply and building trust. Insurance sales depends on listening to people and helping them choose coverage that fits their needs.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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