Highest-Paying Agent Jobs [2026]
Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a combination of public government data, company resources, and thousands of job postings to create average salary estimates for various agent roles across the United States. Based on this data, they have identified the highest-paid types of agents according to their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of agents:
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Life Insurance Agent remains the highest-paid type of agent with an average salary of $62,552 and an average hourly rate of $30.07.
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The second highest-paying type of agent is the licensed insurance agent, with an average salary of $54,118.
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The average salary for agents across various roles is $37,864 per year, which translates to an average hourly wage of $18.20.
Table of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While salary should not be the sole factor in your decision, it is undeniably significant. If you aspire to become an agent, understanding which types offer the highest compensation can help you strategically plan your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for different types of agents:
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Life Insurance Agent
Average Salary: $62,552
A life insurance agent provides insurance services tailored to clients’ needs. They manage claims for beneficiaries and ensure the accuracy of documentation. Additionally, they advise clients on policy options that align with their long-term financial goals.
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Licensed Insurance Agent
Average Salary: $54,118
A licensed insurance agent focuses on securing insurance sales through client outreach and consultations. Their role involves negotiating terms and assessing clients’ financial capabilities.
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Insurance Agent
Average Salary: $51,936
Insurance agents introduce potential clients to various insurance products. They assess client needs to create customized packages and manage policy renewals effectively.
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Health Insurance Agent
Average Salary: $49,934
Health insurance agents are responsible for selling health insurance packages to individuals and groups, understanding their clients’ needs, and guiding them towards the most suitable options.
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Insurance Sales Agent
Average Salary: $49,587
Insurance sales agents engage with clients to explain insurance policies and tailor solutions based on their financial assessments. They also manage paperwork and policy renewals.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various agent roles, showcasing those that offer the highest compensation, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Agents
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life Insurance Agent | |
| 2 | Licensed Insurance Agent | |
| 3 | Insurance Agent | |
| 4 | Health Insurance Agent | |
| 5 | Insurance Sales Agent | |
| 6 | Sales Agent | |
| 7 | Licensed Agent | |
| 8 | Marketing Agent | |
| 9 | Recovery Agent | |
| 10 | Support Agent | |
| 11 | Front Office Agent | |
| 12 | Collection Agent | |
| 13 | Geek Squad Agent | |
| 14 | Customer Agent | |
| 15 | Rental Agent | |
| 16 | Customer Care Agent | |
| 17 | Reservations Agent | |
| 18 | Call Center Agent | |
| 19 | Service Agent | |
| 20 | Customer Service Agent |
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly available data from government sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to formulate salary estimates.
The data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information for agents.
After compiling this data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, read our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Agent Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid agent job?
The highest-paid agent job is a life insurance agent. Life Insurance Agents earn an average salary of $62,552, which breaks down to $30.07 per hour.
Life insurance agents provide insurance services tailored to client needs, manage claims, and offer guidance on policy options that align with clients’ long-term financial objectives.
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What is a good salary for an agent?
A good salary for an agent is $37,864 or more. This figure represents the average salary, so those earning at least this amount are considered above average.
However, it’s essential to note that salaries can vary based on location, with companies adjusting their pay scales according to the cost of living. Researching local salary averages in your field can provide a more accurate context for your compensation.
For entry-level positions, the average starting salary is around $22,697, so it’s crucial not to compare your salary solely against the average without considering your experience level.
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Do agent jobs pay well?
Agent jobs can vary in pay. While some agent roles offer competitive salaries, the average agent salary of $37,864 is lower than the average national salary, which is roughly $44,225 per year.
Despite this, many agent roles have high earning potential, with the top 10% earning around $44,223 annually.
Salaries generally fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s vital to research the going rates in your area and negotiate accordingly.
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Where do agents get paid the most?
Agents earn the highest salaries in Alabama. In Alabama, the average annual salary for agents is $57,616, with an hourly wage of $27.70.
Following Alabama, the states with the highest-paid agents include Iowa, Connecticut, and Vermont, with average annual salaries of $44,845, $55,614, and $49,486, respectively.
The cities offering the highest agent salaries are:
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New York, NY – $58,324
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Boston, MA – $52,774
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Madison, WI – $46,782
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
