Insurance Sales Agents vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Sales Agents professionals earn $25,790 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 74.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Insurance Sales Agents earns $135,660 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$135,660
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Insurance Sales Agents | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,390 | $25,600 | +$10,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,520 | $29,140 | +$16,380 |
| Median (50th) | $60,370 | $34,580 | +$25,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,150 | $37,850 | +$53,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,660 | $47,930 | +$87,730 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,510 | $37,150 | +$44,360 |
Employment Numbers
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Insurance Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Insurance Sales Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,790 (74.6% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Insurance Sales Agents and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Insurance Sales Agents?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Insurance Sales Agents has a median salary of $60,370 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
Career Resources
Career Change Resources
Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.
Professional Certifications
Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.
Online Degree Programs
Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.
Resume Writing Services
Get professional help crafting a standout resume.
Explore More
Was this data helpful?
Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS