- The work is helping people protect their families, and it is sales.
- Independent agents are usually paid on commission, so income is uneven at first.
- Federal data projects 3 percent growth, about average for all jobs.
- The agency you join shapes your first year more than the license does.
On this page
What is good about the career?
- The work matters. A policy decides what happens to a family on a hard day.
- A low barrier to entry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as typical entry education.
- Flexibility. Your schedule follows when clients are available, and much of the work can be done by phone and screen.
- Independence. As an independent agent you can compare many carriers for each client.
- Income that grows with your effort and the business you keep in force.
What is hard about it?
- Commission pay means income is uneven, especially while you learn.
- You need a steady source of conversations. A license does not provide one.
- Rejection is part of sales. Not every conversation ends in a policy.
- Compliance, replacement rules, and state differences apply to every sale.
- Chargebacks can reduce commission when a policy lapses early.
What do the federal numbers say?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median wage of $62,280 for insurance sales agents in May 2025 and projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035. That is for all insurance lines and all pay structures. It does not describe life-only independent agents, and it says nothing about any one agency. Read more in our salary guide.
Who tends to do well?
To see what the work is made of before you decide, read the job description guide, and if you would keep another job, the part-time guide.
People who listen more than they talk, follow up without being asked, and keep learning products and rules. Comfort with the phone helps, and so does patience with a process that can take weeks from first call to a delivered policy. Agencies that train regularly and give you a way to reach buyers shorten the early months.
What should you check before you commit?
- Where your conversations will come from. See leads for agents.
- How you are paid, and what fees or chargebacks apply. See commission explained.
- What training exists after day one, and who runs it.
- That the agency's licensing and reputation check out. Ours is on the licensing page.
When life insurance sales is not for you
Better to know now than after a course and a license.
- You need a fixed paycheck and benefits starting in the first month.
- You dislike talking to strangers on the phone and following up.
- You are looking for passive income or fast money. The Federal Trade Commission warns that offers that promise big money for little work are often scams.
- You are not willing to follow compliance rules and carrier requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is selling life insurance a good job?
It can be, if you enjoy helping families and can handle commission income. The work is conversation-driven, flexible, and rewarding when a family is protected. It is a poor fit if you need a steady salary right away.
Is life insurance sales hard?
It is learnable and not easy. You study for the exam, learn products and underwriting, and build conversations. The hardest part for many new agents is a steady source of buyers.
Can you make a living selling life insurance?
Many agents do, and results vary widely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a $62,280 median for all insurance sales agents. Checkmate does not publish agent income figures.
Is selling life insurance a pyramid scheme?
Selling licensed insurance products to clients who pay premiums to a carrier is a regulated business. Ask any program how every payment works, and be careful with one that earns mainly from recruiting rather than from selling policies.
Is Checkmate a good place to start?
Checkmate trains new agents, supplies inbound calls and leads, and handles onboarding. Whether it fits you depends on your goals, so talk to the team and ask your questions before you apply.
Sources
Source links last checked November 13, 2026.
This page is general education about the insurance profession. It is not legal, tax, or career advice, and it does not promise income, appointment, or approval of any application. Licensing rules are set by each state and change, so confirm the current requirements with your state insurance department. Checkmate does not guarantee earnings. Coverage sold by Checkmate agents is subject to underwriting approval, and product and carrier availability varies by state.
Talk to the Checkmate team.
Licensed or not yet, tell us where you are. A team member contacts you within one business day. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm ET.
