Insurance Sales Agents vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Insurance Sales Agents out-earn Retail Salespersons by $27K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Insurance Sales Agents land at $62,280 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: insurance sales agent programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Insurance Sales Agents is District of Columbia ($84,530); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Insurance Sales Agents median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Insurance Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Insurance Sales Agents earn more nationally. The median is $62,280 for Insurance Sales Agents versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $27K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Insurance Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Insurance Sales Agents has the better 10-year outlook at 3.7% projected growth, compared to -0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Insurance Sales Agents or Retail Salespersons?
Insurance Sales Agents typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Retail Salespersons requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Insurance Sales Agents get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Insurance Sales Agents at $84,530/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Insurance Sales Agents vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Insurance Sales Agents earn $84,530 vs. $38,500 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.