Civil Engineers vs Insurance Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $39,220 more per year than Insurance Sales Agents professionals — that's 65.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$36,390$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $36,390 | +$29,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $45,520 | +$33,270 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $60,370 | +$39,220 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $91,150 | +$37,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $135,660 | +$25,330 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $81,510 | +$25,540 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Insurance Sales Agents?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,220 (65.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
What is the salary range for Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Civil Engineers and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS