Insurance Agent
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is an Insurance Agent?
Insurance Agents sell life, health, property, casualty, and other insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They assess client needs, explain coverage options, and process claims. Every state requires a license for each line of insurance you sell — obtained by completing pre-licensing education and passing a state-administered exam. Agents work for insurance companies (captive) or independently (independent brokers).
The Landscape
While all states universally require licensing, the ongoing professional development commitment varies considerably. Massachusetts, for example, demands 45 hours of continuing education every three years, whereas Kansas requires just 12 hours over two years. Furthermore, nearly every state mandates a background check, with many also requiring fingerprinting, highlighting a widespread emphasis on agent integrity and consumer protection, regardless of geographic location.
Insurance Agent by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $63,060 | +4.5% | 2-6 weeks |
| Alaska | Yes | $54,720 | -9.4% | 2-6 weeks |
| Arizona | Yes | $59,400 | -1.6% | Varies (exam scores valid for 12 months, application must be submitted within one year of passing exam) |
| Arkansas | Yes | $51,280 | -15.1% | Varies (pre-licensing course completion required before exam, background check, and application submission) |
| California | Yes | $64,990 | +7.7% | Approximately 4-8 weeks (application processing typically takes about four weeks after passing the exam and submitting fingerprints) |
| Colorado | Yes | $61,020 | +1.1% | 4-6 weeks |
| Connecticut | Yes | $77,090 | +27.7% | 2-4 weeks |
| Delaware | Yes | $59,910 | -0.8% | 2-6 weeks |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $75,180 | +24.5% | 2-6 weeks |
| Florida | Yes | $59,790 | -1.0% | Varies (e.g., 4-10 weeks for pre-licensing and application, plus exam scheduling) |
| Georgia | Yes | $50,210 | -16.8% | 4-8 weeks |
| Hawaii | Yes | $63,950 | +5.9% | 2-6 weeks |
| Idaho | Yes | $48,140 | -20.3% | Approximately 2-3 weeks (5-10 days for course completion, 1-2 business days for application processing after fingerprints) |
| Illinois | Yes | $59,340 | -1.7% | 3-7 weeks |
| Indiana | Yes | $61,710 | +2.2% | 2-6 weeks |
| Iowa | Yes | $63,150 | +4.6% | 1-4 weeks (application must be submitted within 90 days of passing exam) |
| Kansas | Yes | $60,920 | +0.9% | 1-4 weeks |
| Kentucky | Yes | $59,590 | -1.3% | 2-6 weeks |
| Louisiana | Yes | $55,590 | -7.9% | Varies (fingerprinting can take up to 4 weeks) |
| Maine | Yes | $60,630 | +0.4% | Less than a month |
| Maryland | Yes | $60,120 | -0.4% | 2-6 weeks |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $77,660 | +28.6% | Varies (self-study 4-6 weeks recommended before exam) |
| Michigan | Yes | $58,910 | -2.4% | 2-6 weeks |
| Minnesota | Yes | $78,650 | +30.3% | 2-4 weeks |
| Mississippi | Yes | $47,550 | -21.2% | 2-6 weeks (pre-licensing education is valid for 1 year, state exam must be taken within this timeframe) |
| Missouri | Yes | $59,680 | -1.1% | 2-6 weeks |
| Montana | Yes | $57,360 | -5.0% | Varies (exam scores valid for 1 year) |
| Nebraska | Yes | $58,480 | -3.1% | 1-2 weeks (exam prep) + 3-5 business days (application processing) |
| Nevada | Yes | $44,990 | -25.5% | 2-6 weeks |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $61,190 | +1.4% | 1-4 weeks |
| New Jersey | Yes | $78,080 | +29.3% | 2-6 weeks |
| New Mexico | Yes | $46,990 | -22.2% | 2-6 weeks |
| New York | Yes | $75,860 | +25.7% | Varies (application must be submitted within 2 years of passing exam, name approval for trade names can take 4-6 weeks) |
| North Carolina | Yes | $57,110 | -5.4% | 2-6 weeks |
| North Dakota | Yes | $65,850 | +9.1% | 2-5 weeks |
| Ohio | Yes | $59,990 | -0.6% | 2-6 weeks |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $45,550 | -24.5% | Varies (application must be made within 2 years of passing the exam) |
| Oregon | Yes | $60,710 | +0.6% | 1-2 months |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $62,230 | +3.1% | 2-6 weeks |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $74,360 | +23.2% | Varies (exam results valid for 1 year for application) |
| South Carolina | Yes | $51,550 | -14.6% | 2-6 weeks |
| South Dakota | Yes | $61,630 | +2.1% | 1-2 weeks for exam scheduling, a few days for license issuance |
| Tennessee | Yes | $49,130 | -18.6% | 2-4 weeks |
| Texas | Yes | $47,530 | -21.3% | 3-7 weeks (application processing can take 3-5 weeks after passing the exam and background check) |
| Utah | Yes | $52,440 | -13.1% | Varies (processing time 5-10 business days after all requirements met) |
| Vermont | Yes | $70,390 | +16.6% | A routine application is generally issued within 48 hours; non-routine applications may take up to 10 business days. |
| Virginia | Yes | $59,570 | -1.3% | 15-20 business days (longer for background check issues) |
| Washington | Yes | $58,660 | -2.8% | 2-4 weeks |
| West Virginia | Yes | $44,080 | -27.0% | 2-6 weeks |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $70,650 | +17.0% | 1-4 weeks |
| Wyoming | Yes | $55,770 | -7.6% | 30 days |
Highest-Paying States for Insurance Agents
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $78,650 | 9,470 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $78,080 | 11,080 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $77,660 | 10,360 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $77,090 | 5,520 |
| 5 | New York | $75,860 | 20,990 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $75,180 | 510 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $74,360 | 1,860 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $70,650 | 7,920 |
| 9 | Vermont | $70,390 | 670 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $65,850 | 1,240 |