Insurance Sales Agents vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $2,600 more per year than Insurance Sales Agents professionals — that's 4.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Sales Agents earns $135,660 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$36,390$135,660
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Sales Agents | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,390 | $40,670 | $-4,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,520 | $48,860 | $-3,340 |
| Median (50th) | $60,370 | $62,970 | $-2,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,150 | $81,900 | +$9,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,660 | $105,150 | +$30,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,510 | $69,940 | +$11,570 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Sales Agents or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,600 (4.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Insurance Sales Agents and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Insurance Sales Agents?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Sales Agents has a median salary of $60,370 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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