| Quick Facts: Insurance Sales Agents | |
|---|---|
| 2012 Median Pay | $48,150 per year $23.15 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Number of Jobs, 2012 | 443,400 |
| Job Outlook, 2012-22 | 10% (As fast as average) |
| Employment Change, 2012-22 | 45,900 |
What Insurance Sales Agents Do
Insurance sales agents help insurance companies generate new business by contacting potential customers and selling one or more types of insurance. Insurance sales agents explain various insurance policies and help clients choose plans that suit them.
Work Environment
Although most insurance sales agents work for insurance agencies and brokerages, which sell the policies of several companies, some work directly for a single insurance company. Most insurance sales agents work in offices, although some may spend much of their time traveling to meet with clients.
How to Become an Insurance Sales Agent
Although most employers require agents to have a high school diploma, many agents have a bachelor’s degree. Agents must be licensed in the states where they work.
Pay
The median annual wage for insurance sales agents was $48,150 in May 2012. Many sales agents are paid through commissions rather than a fixed salary.
Job Outlook
Employment of insurance sales agents is projected to grow 10 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. An aging population and changes in federal regulation may increase demand for agents who sell health and long-term care insurance.
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