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Insurance broker vs wholesaler

The differences between insurance brokers and wholesalers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an insurance broker has an average salary of $94,006, which is higher than the $59,529 average annual salary of a wholesaler.

The top three skills for an insurance broker include customer service, life insurance products and lead generation. The most important skills for a wholesaler are business plan, annuities, and territory sales.

Insurance broker vs wholesaler overview

Insurance BrokerWholesaler
Yearly salary$94,006$59,529
Hourly rate$45.20$28.62
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs38,4036,195
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Average age4646
Years of experience-8

What does an insurance broker do?

Insurance brokers are responsible for assisting clients to determine their liability risks and in selecting the appropriate policies for their family, home, business, or automobile to ensure their protection. They direct clients in creating a sound decision and supply them with a variety of quotes that best suit their needs. Their duties include demonstrating the benefits, terms, conditions, and suspension for a number of participating insurance policies. Also, they may negotiate lesser rates for their clients and continue in guiding these clients in technical issues like filing a claim or changing their insurance coverage.

What does a wholesaler do?

A wholesaler sources inventory directly from manufacturers in a supply chain and sells it to retailers. They can sell products at a lesser unit price because they are selling in bulk, which reduces the cost and handling time of goods. They are tasked with sourcing products from manufacturers and storing them appropriately. They must have good bargaining skills and effective communication skills, be organized, and have excellent time-keeping skills.

Insurance broker vs wholesaler salary

Insurance brokers and wholesalers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Insurance BrokerWholesaler
Average salary$94,006$59,529
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $141,000Between $41,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityBirmingham, AL-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyLiberty Mutual Insurance-
Best paying industryInsurance-

Differences between insurance broker and wholesaler education

There are a few differences between an insurance broker and a wholesaler in terms of educational background:

Insurance BrokerWholesaler
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 80%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Insurance broker vs wholesaler demographics

Here are the differences between insurance brokers' and wholesalers' demographics:

Insurance BrokerWholesaler
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 62.5% Female, 37.5%Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between insurance broker and wholesaler duties and responsibilities

Insurance broker example responsibilities.

  • Used consultative upselling techniques to provide leads
  • Work as an independent financial planner selling life insurance and annuities to individuals and families
  • Facilitate communications between doctors, hospitals, third party insurance companies and patients to obtain and verify patient billing information.
  • Deliver on the GEICO promise to customers by solving problems and giving competent insurance advice in a courteous and proficient manner.

Wholesaler example responsibilities.

  • Team with external wholesaler to develop sales and servicing strategy in order to manage assign sales region effectively.
  • Work closely with bank management to help market annuities through the retail branches.
  • Prepare and schedule meetings, seminars and conference calls with brokers to increase awareness, understanding and usage of MassMutual annuities.
  • Recognize by management for confidence and develop knowledge of the healthcare industry with uncanny ability to expertly penetrate large accounts.
  • Work in partnership with RVP, covering the top-producing R.I.A.
  • Develop individual account base through telemarketing, cold-calling & prospecting.

Insurance broker vs wholesaler skills

Common insurance broker skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Life Insurance Products, 8%
  • Lead Generation, 8%
  • Financial Resources, 8%
  • Annuities, 8%
  • Insurance Carriers, 6%
Common wholesaler skills
  • Business Plan, 18%
  • Annuities, 8%
  • Territory Sales, 6%
  • Excellent Presentation, 6%
  • Sales Process, 4%
  • Leverage, 4%