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Job outlook for life insurance agents in the United States
Life insurance agent job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected life insurance agent job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 32,900 new jobs for life insurance agents are projected over the next decade.
Life insurance agent salaries have increased 4% for life insurance agents in the last 5 years.
There are over 108,198 life insurance agents currently employed in the United States.
There are 68,781 active life insurance agent job openings in the US.
The average life insurance agent salary is $62,552.
Are life insurance agent jobs in demand?
Life Insurance Agent job and salary trends over time
Life Insurance Agent jobs over time
Life Insurance Agent job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 108,198 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 104,960 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 104,985 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 100,832 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 98,910 | 0.03% |
Average life insurance agent salary over time
Life Insurance Agent salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $62,552 | $30.07 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $61,066 | $29.36 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $60,658 | $29.16 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $59,591 | $28.65 | --0.6% |
| 2021 | $59,927 | $28.81 | +3.7% |
Life Insurance Agent jobs by state
Most common states for life insurance agents
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 134 | 21% |
| 2 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 319 | 17% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 167 | 17% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 92 | 16% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 101 | 15% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 965 | 14% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 563 | 14% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 427 | 14% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 193 | 14% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 147 | 14% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 124 | 14% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 920 | 13% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 820 | 13% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 724 | 13% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 141 | 13% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,500 | 12% |
| 17 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,377 | 12% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 94 | 12% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 329 | 11% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 578 | 10% |
Most common cities for life insurance agents
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | 21 | 4% | $65,697 |
| 2 | Orlando | 11 | 4% | $65,109 |
| 3 | Richmond | 8 | 4% | $66,196 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | 10 | 3% | $69,837 |
| 5 | Dallas | 21 | 2% | $64,838 |
| 6 | Charlotte | 13 | 2% | $69,640 |
| 7 | Raleigh | 9 | 2% | $69,967 |
| 8 | Tampa | 9 | 2% | $65,419 |
| 9 | Miami | 8 | 2% | $64,138 |
| 10 | Houston | 18 | 1% | $64,682 |
| 11 | Philadelphia | 13 | 1% | $71,398 |
| 12 | Phoenix | 13 | 1% | $73,764 |
| 13 | Austin | 11 | 1% | $65,168 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | 9 | 1% | $66,262 |
| 15 | Denver | 8 | 1% | $77,135 |
| 16 | Fort Worth | 8 | 1% | $64,980 |
| 17 | Los Angeles | 13 | 0% | $71,112 |
| 18 | New York | 12 | 0% | $81,907 |
| 19 | Chicago | 10 | 0% | $73,667 |
Life Insurance Agent job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of life insurance agent experts
Butler University
Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r)
Clinical ProfessorButler University
Insurance
What general advice would you give to a Life Insurance Agent?
Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r): That depends on the type of agent the person is. Most of us deal with agents who sell personal lines, such as auto and home and life insurance. Their day is filled with prospecting for new clients, appointments to review current insurance with current clients, service work such as adding autos and changing addresses, and, helping take and resolve claims. Some agents specialize in commercial lines. They spend their days prospecting as well, but also work very closely with their clients on a regular basis to assure their insurance program is appropriate. This is because commercial clients usually have very large insurance policies, make frequent changes, and have lots of service work. Plus, the relationship is the key in commercial lines.
What Life Insurance Agent skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r): Being an agent provides freedom. Most agents set their own hours meaning there is time for family and other activities. Of course, since it is a commission-based position, the harder you work, the more you make! Plus, property and casualty agents (home, auto and commercial lines) can build up their client list to the point where they make a very good living just off renewal commissions. At that point, an agent can truly work whenever they want and still get paid. (That takes a few years to get to, though.)
As to dislikes, being a commissioned salesperson is difficult for some people. And the freedom that comes with being an agent is a double-edged sword. If someone takes advantage and doesn't work very hard, they won't last very long! And, depending on the company, etc., paperwork can be pretty extensive!
What will help Life Insurance Agents increase their earning potential?
Tom Faulconer JD, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CASL,CFP(r): Being an agent provides freedom. Most agents set their own hours meaning there is time for family and other activities. Of course, since it is a commission-based position, the harder you work, the more you make! Plus, property and casualty agents (home, auto and commercial lines) can build up their client list to the point where they make a very good living just off renewal commissions. At that point, an agent can truly work whenever they want and still get paid. (That takes a few years to get to, though.) As to dislikes, being a commissioned salesperson is difficult for some people. And the freedom that comes with being an agent is a double-edged sword. If someone takes advantage and doesn't work very hard, they won't last very long! And, depending on the company, etc., paperwork can be pretty extensive!