- The Bureau of Labor Statistics median for insurance sales agents was $62,280 in May 2025.
- That figure covers all insurance lines and all pay structures, not life insurance alone.
- Independent life agents are usually paid on commission, so income follows business written and kept.
- Checkmate does not publish agent income figures. Be careful with anyone who does.
On this page
What is the average life insurance agent salary?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $62,280 for insurance sales agents in May 2025, which is $29.94 an hour. It projects 3 percent employment growth from 2025 to 2035, in line with the average for all occupations. Half of the agents in the data earned more than the median and half earned less. The middle is only part of the picture: the lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,330 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $138,140, so the spread is wide.
- Lowest 10 percent earned less than$37,330
- All occupations, median$50,980
- Insurance sales agents, median$62,280
- Highest 10 percent earned more than$138,140
Federal data for all insurance sales agents in every line and pay structure. It is not a Checkmate figure and not a prediction of what any one agent will earn. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, checked November 13, 2026.
For context, the BLS median for all occupations in May 2025 was $50,980. BLS counted about 572,600 insurance sales agents in 2025, and 12 percent of them were self-employed. By industry, the median was $73,440 at direct health and medical insurance carriers, $63,810 at other direct insurance carriers, and $61,550 at insurance agencies and brokerages.
| What it is | What it covers | What it does not tell you |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median wage, May 2025 | Insurance sales agents across all lines, including employees and independent agents | Life-only pay, new agent pay, or any single agency's results |
| BLS lowest 10 percent and highest 10 percent, May 2025 | The spread between the bottom and top tenths of all insurance sales agents | Where a new agent falls. The top tenth reflects years of experience and a built book |
| BLS job outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected change in employment for the occupation | How crowded or open your local market is |
Why does pay vary so much?
The BLS notes that independent agents may be paid by commission only, while agency or carrier employees may be paid salary, salary plus commission, or salary plus bonus. On commission, income follows what you write and what stays in force. Several things move it:
- How many qualified conversations you have each week, and where they come from.
- The products you place and the carrier commission schedules that apply to them.
- Your contract level with the carrier or agency, which sets your share of the schedule.
- Persistency, meaning how many policies stay in force. Early lapses can lead to commission chargebacks.
- Hours worked, licensing in more states, and how long you have been building a book.
Does Checkmate publish what its agents earn?
No. We do not publish income figures, averages, or top-earner numbers for our agents on this site. An income number without the full picture of hours, licenses, lead flow, and time in the business is easy to misread, and it can set the wrong expectation for you. We can walk you through how the work is set up on a call. Our agent page lists what is included.
How should you read an income claim?
The Federal Trade Commission warns that money-making opportunities often describe potential earnings that are exaggerated, and that a big-money claim with little work behind it is a warning sign. When any agency or recruiter gives you an income figure, ask:
- Is this the typical result or the best result? Who is in the group being measured?
- How many hours, licenses, and months did that take?
- What did the agent pay for leads, software, training, or desk fees?
- Can I get the claim in writing, with the method behind it?
What does it cost an agent to get started?
Income is only half of the picture. Count the license course and fees, any lead or software costs, and the months where income is thin while you learn. If you plan to work around another job, read about part-time agents. Our commission guide covers how carriers pay and what to ask about chargebacks and fees.
When this career is not for you
Salary data can make this work look steadier than commission pay is.
- You need a fixed monthly income right away. Plan for a ramp period with uneven income, and keep savings or other income in place while you build.
- You want a number promised in advance. No honest agency can promise a commission total.
- You want a role with a salary and benefits. Captive or employee roles exist, and they work differently from independent agent roles. Read our independent agent guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary of a life insurance agent?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics median for all insurance sales agents was $62,280 in May 2025. That figure includes every insurance line, not life only, and it does not describe what any one agent or agency pays.
Do life insurance agents earn a salary or commission?
It depends on the role. Independent agents are generally commission-only. Some agency and carrier employees receive a salary, a salary plus commission, or a salary plus bonus, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do new life insurance agents make?
There is no reliable single number. New agents are building skills, licenses, and a book, and results vary widely by agency, lead source, and effort. Treat any specific figure quoted to you as a claim to verify.
What does Checkmate pay its agents?
Checkmate does not publish a pay figure on this site. Agents are paid commission on business they write. Ask the team to explain the commission arrangement in writing before you decide.
Is the job outlook for insurance agents good?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, about the same as all occupations. Demand for coverage is steady, and competition for buyers is real.
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.
