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Insurance agent vs carrier

The differences between insurance agents and carriers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance agent has an average salary of $51,936, which is higher than the $37,242 average annual salary of a carrier.

The top three skills for an insurance agent include customer service, insurance sales and health insurance. The most important skills for a carrier are logistics, newspapers, and delivery sequence.

Insurance agent vs carrier overview

Insurance AgentCarrier
Yearly salary$51,936$37,242
Hourly rate$24.97$17.90
Growth rate6%-6%
Number of jobs67,97717,784
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age4649
Years of experience--

What does an insurance agent do?

An insurance agent is responsible for inviting potential clients to the insurance company by offering different insurance services. Insurance agents must have a comprehensive knowledge of insurance types to provide the clients with the best insurance option in the market. The insurance agents should evaluate a client's long-term needs and financial goals to create individual packages as the insurance company allowed. An insurance agent also handles policy renewals and keeps customers' insurance files for reference.

What does a carrier do?

The duties of a carrier primarily depend on their industry or organization of employment. In the logistics industry, a carrier is responsible for delivering goods in a timely and efficient manner. Their tasks usually include traveling to different areas to deliver or pick-up packages, handling documentation, coordinating with logistics managers, and communicating with the clients to answer any inquiries or provide delivery updates. Moreover, a carrier performs regular vehicle maintenance checks and complies with traffic rules and regulations for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Insurance agent vs carrier salary

Insurance agents and carriers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Insurance AgentCarrier
Average salary$51,936$37,242
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $88,000Between $19,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYCupertino, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiOregon
Best paying companyZ Capital GroupMeta
Best paying industryFinanceProfessional

Differences between insurance agent and carrier education

There are a few differences between an insurance agent and a carrier in terms of educational background:

Insurance AgentCarrier
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Insurance agent vs carrier demographics

Here are the differences between insurance agents' and carriers' demographics:

Insurance AgentCarrier
Average age4649
Gender ratioMale, 51.6% Female, 48.4%Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between insurance agent and carrier duties and responsibilities

Insurance agent example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Maintain personal and confidential Medicare & Medicaid customer information following all HIPAA.
  • Follow all applicable HIPPA and privacy regulations.
  • Explain medical plans to Medicare / Medicaid eligible clients to ensure best fit.
  • Identify and solicit sales prospects in agency database and in the general marketplace.
  • Develop productive business relationships with key marketplace players by identifying the right products and services.
  • Show more

Carrier example responsibilities.

  • Arrange mail in delivery sequence, operate llv, used scanner to collect cod and lift packages over 50 pounds.
  • Specialize in the small LTL division.
  • Carry hod and help out at construction sites.
  • Deliver mail by organization unit and/or individual's name.
  • Utilize memorization and problem solving skills to insure proper deliver.
  • Learned how to lay brick and specialize in hod carrying and loading.
  • Show more

Insurance agent vs carrier skills

Common insurance agent skills
  • Customer Service, 25%
  • Insurance Sales, 8%
  • Health Insurance, 6%
  • Life Insurance Products, 6%
  • Financial Resources, 6%
  • Auto Insurance, 5%
Common carrier skills
  • Logistics, 24%
  • Newspapers, 15%
  • Delivery Sequence, 15%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Delivery Vehicle, 9%
  • HVAC, 6%