truest.me
Sector

Careers in Insurance Agencies & Brokers

Insurance agencies and brokers sell policies and serve as intermediaries between insurers and customers. Mostly small businesses requiring on-site presence with high credential requirements including producer licenses.

990K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$63K
Median salary
Across all roles
Insurance Agencies & Brokers jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Insurance Agencies & Brokers employment by metro · ~393 areas
1.New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ27K
2.Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX18K
3.Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA17K
4.Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN16K
5.Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA14K

Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density

1.Bloomington, IL1,663.6
2.Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA712.1
3.Macon-Bibb County, GA678.5
4.Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL586.5
5.Columbus, GA-AL559.9
BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Insurance Agencies & Brokers

Insurance agencies and brokers connect customers with coverage — there's satisfaction in helping clients protect what matters, sales relationships, and building a book of business you can own. Many find meaning in being a trusted resource for protection.

The challenge can come from commission structures and competitive markets. Income depends on sales production; slow periods hurt. Competition from direct insurers and online quotes has increased. Building a book takes years. Licensing requirements apply in each state.

The field varies by line and model. Personal lines agencies differ from commercial brokers, employee benefits specialists, or captive agents. Independent agencies operate differently than those tied to specific carriers. Large brokerages have different resources than small agencies.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are genuine: client relationships, income potential as you build, business ownership possibilities, and helping people protect themselves. If you enjoy consultative sales, can handle income variability, and want to build client relationships, insurance agencies offer entrepreneurial paths.

How people break in

State licensing required. Many start at established agencies. Independence viable with book of business.

Work environment tends toward
Sales-drivenCommission incomeLicensing requiredRelationship focusIndependence path
Industries it connects to
Salary vs. national average
-11%
$63K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$37K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level →
Salary range across all insurance agencies & brokers roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$95K
2. Boulder$80K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$77K
4. Trenton-Princeton$72K
5. Durham-Chapel Hill$72K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$73K in mid-market metros to ~$107K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $107K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont · $91K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $84K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $95K adj.
Boulder · $80K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $77K adj.
Most jobs
New York · 20.7M
Los Angeles · 13.3M
Chicago · 9.6M
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Insurance Agencies & Brokers.

🚪
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Financial Services data
13%
People tend to stay in Financial Services. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
9%vs. 22% all industries
🏢
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
99%
Small
<50
1%
Mid
50–249
0%
Large
250+
🏠
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Mostly on-site
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
📋
Credential Density
Moderate-high
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
🤝
Union Presence
Based on all Financial Services data
~1%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
1%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Union Members Summary 2024
Career Tracks

Career tracks in Insurance Agencies & Brokers

How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.

Admin & Office · Banks and insurance companies are process-driven environments. Strong attention to detail, compliance awareness, and good pay for experienced admins.
12%
$59K median
Explore →
Business Operations · Banks, insurance, and investment firms are process-heavy and compliance-driven. Precision matters. Strong path to senior ops roles with competitive pay.
11%
$63K median
Explore →
Sales · Financial product sales including banking services, insurance policies, investment products, and wealth management services.
10%
$59K median
Explore →
Technology · Fintech, banking systems, and financial technology infrastructure — some of the highest-paying tech roles with complex regulatory requirements.
9%
$58K median
Explore →
Social Services · Insurance case management, employee assistance programs, and financial counseling services within banking and insurance companies.
8%
$56K median
Explore →
Personal Care
7%
$54K median
Explore →
Median salary for occupations employed within Insurance Agencies & Brokers. BLS OEWS May 2024.

Explore careers in Insurance Agencies & Brokers

Understand your strengths, plan your next move, and build your career record.

Get Started with Truest
Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.