Insurance sales agents held about 400,000 jobs in 2004. Most insurance sales
agents employed in wage and salary positions work for insurance agencies and
brokerages. A decreasing number work directly for insurance carriers.
Although most insurance agents specialize in life and health insurance or
property and casualty insurance, a growing number of “multiline” agents sell
all lines of insurance. A small number of agents work for banks and
securities brokerages as a result of the increasing integration of finance
and insurance industries. Approximately 1 out of 4 insurance sales agents is
self-employed.
Insurance sales agents are employed throughout the country,
but most work in or near large urban centers. Some are employed in the
headquarters of insurance companies, but the majority work out of local
offices or independent agencies..
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2006-07 Edition
