Life insurance companies and brokerages hire for dozens of roles, from sales and underwriting to claims processing and customer service
The life insurance industry employs hundreds of thousands of people across the United States in positions that range from entry-level to specialized roles requiring years of training. Jobs exist in sales, underwriting, claims handling, actuarial work, compliance, information technology, and administration. The actual number of open positions changes month to month based on company hiring cycles, seasonal demand, and economic conditions — there is no single "current openings" figure that applies across the whole industry.
If you are considering a career in life insurance, understanding the types of roles available and what they involve can help you decide whether this industry fits your skills and interests. The work itself varies dramatically depending on the position: a life insurance agent spends time meeting clients and explaining policies, while an underwriter reviews medical records and financial information to assess risk, and a claims processor verifies documentation and processes payouts to beneficiaries.
Key Takeaways
- Life insurance companies hire for sales, underwriting, claims, customer service, actuarial, compliance, and IT roles, with entry points at different education and experience levels.
- Sales positions (agents and brokers) often work on commission and require a state insurance license, which you obtain by passing an exam after a short study period.
- Underwriting and claims roles typically require a high school diploma or associate degree and offer stable salary-based employment with room to advance.
- Actuarial positions require a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, plus passing a series of professional exams over several years.
- Job openings are posted on company career pages, general job boards, and industry-specific sites; the number of available positions fluctuates based on company growth and turnover.
Sales roles: agents, brokers, and account managers
Sales positions make up a large portion of life insurance employment. Life insurance agents work directly with clients to assess their needs, explain policy options, and complete applications. Agents may work for a single insurance company (called captive agents) or represent multiple companies as independent brokers. Most agents earn a base salary plus commission on policies sold, and some work entirely on commission.
To become a life insurance agent, you need a state insurance license. The process typically involves studying for and passing a licensing exam, which covers life insurance products, regulations, and ethical practices. Each state sets its own exam requirements and fees; most states require 20 to 40 hours of pre-licensing education. After you pass the exam, you can apply to work for an insurance company or brokerage. Some companies hire people without a license and help them study for the exam as part of onboarding.
Account managers and sales support roles also exist within insurance companies, handling renewals, customer questions, and policy changes for existing clients. These positions typically require customer service experience and may or may not require an insurance license depending on the company and the specific duties.
Underwriting and risk assessment positions
Underwriters review applications, medical records, and financial information to decide whether to approve a life insurance policy and at what price. This role requires attention to detail, the ability to interpret medical and financial documents, and knowledge of underwriting guidelines. Most underwriting positions require a high school diploma or associate degree; some companies prefer a bachelor's degree but will train people without one.
Underwriting assistants and junior underwriters handle simpler cases and support senior underwriters on complex ones. These entry-level roles are common hiring points for people new to the insurance industry. As you gain experience, you can advance to senior underwriter, lead underwriter, or management positions. Some underwriters specialize in specific types of cases — for example, medical underwriting (focusing on health history) or financial underwriting (focusing on income and assets).
Medical record reviewers and nurses also work in underwriting departments, pulling and summarizing medical information from hospitals and doctors' offices. These roles often require nursing credentials or medical coding certification but can be a pathway into the insurance industry if you have a healthcare background.
Claims processing and customer service
When a policyholder dies, claims processors verify that the death certificate and policy information match, confirm that the policy was active, and process the payout to the beneficiary. This work is detail-oriented and requires accuracy; errors can delay payments to grieving families. Most claims roles require a high school diploma and offer on-the-job training. Some companies prefer associate degrees or customer service experience, but many hire people without either and train them.
Claims adjusters investigate more complex claims — for example, if there is a question about whether the death was covered under the policy terms, or if the beneficiary information is unclear. This role requires more judgment and often involves contacting policyholders' families, doctors, or other parties to gather information.
Customer service representatives handle phone calls and emails from policyholders with questions about their coverage, billing, or policy changes. These roles are entry-level positions that typically require only a high school diploma and the ability to work with the public. Many insurance companies hire customer service representatives regularly because turnover in these roles is higher than in specialized positions.
Actuarial and specialized technical roles
Actuaries use mathematics and statistics to calculate the cost of insurance products and assess financial risk. This is a specialized career that requires a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or a related field. After graduation, you must pass a series of professional exams administered by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. The first exam can be taken while still in school; most actuaries spend three to five years passing all required exams to become fully credentialed.
Actuarial positions typically pay more than entry-level roles in other departments, but they require sustained study and exam preparation. Actuaries work on product design, pricing, financial projections, and risk management. Some companies hire actuarial analysts or actuarial assistants — roles that support actuaries and may not require all exams to be passed yet.
Data analysts, business analysts, and IT professionals also work in insurance companies, building systems to track policies, process claims, and manage customer information. These roles require technical skills in programming, database management, or business analysis and typically require a bachelor's degree or relevant work experience.
Compliance, legal, and administrative roles
Insurance companies employ compliance officers, legal staff, and auditors to ensure the company follows state and federal regulations. These roles typically require a bachelor's degree and often a law degree or compliance certification. Compliance work involves reviewing policies, training staff, and documenting that the company meets regulatory requirements.
Human resources, accounting, and administrative support roles also exist in insurance companies. These are similar to the same roles in other industries — hiring, payroll, accounting, scheduling, and general office support. They typically require a high school diploma or associate degree and relevant experience in those fields.
Where to find life insurance job openings
Life insurance companies post openings on their own career websites. Major insurers like Prudential, MetLife, New York Life, and Equifax each maintain a jobs page where you can search by location and role type. Smaller regional insurers and independent brokerages also post openings on their sites.
General job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor list life insurance positions alongside other industries. You can filter by job title, location, and company size. Industry-specific job boards and professional associations — such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or the Life Insurance Settlement Association — sometimes list openings or point you toward member companies hiring.
Staffing agencies that specialize in insurance placement can also connect you with open positions. These agencies work with multiple insurance companies and may have access to roles not posted publicly. Some staffing agencies focus on temporary or contract work, while others place people in permanent positions.
Education and licensing requirements by role
| Role Type | Minimum Education | License or Certification | Time to Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance Agent | High school diploma | State insurance license (exam required) | 2–4 weeks |
| Claims Processor | High school diploma | None typically required | Immediate |
| Underwriter | High school diploma or associate degree | None required; some companies prefer ASI or AIC certification | Immediate |
| Customer Service Representative | High school diploma | None typically required | Immediate |
| Actuary | Bachelor's degree in math/statistics | Society of Actuaries exams (3–5 years to full credential) | 6 months–2 years |
| Compliance Officer | Bachelor's degree | Varies; some prefer law degree or compliance certification | 1–2 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a college degree to work in life insurance?
No. Many entry-level positions — claims processor, customer service representative, and underwriting assistant — require only a high school diploma. You can start in one of these roles and advance to positions requiring more education. Sales positions require a state license but not a degree. Specialized roles like actuary or compliance officer do require a bachelor's degree.
How much do life insurance jobs pay?
Pay varies widely by role, location, and company. Entry-level claims and customer service roles typically start around $28,000 to $35,000 per year. Underwriters and agents earn $40,000 to $70,000 or more depending on experience and performance. Actuaries and senior management positions can exceed $100,000. Commission-based sales roles have no may provide salary but can earn significantly more if you sell many policies.
Can I work from home in a life insurance job?
Many companies now offer remote work for claims processing, customer service, underwriting, and administrative roles. Sales agents may work from home but often meet clients in person or via video. Ask about remote work options when you apply; policies vary by company and role.
What is the job outlook for life insurance positions?
The insurance industry is stable, with steady hiring for claims, customer service, and underwriting roles. Sales positions fluctuate based on market conditions and company performance. Actuarial roles remain in demand because few people complete the exam requirements. Check the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website for detailed employment projections by role.
Do I need to pass an exam to become a life insurance agent?
Yes. Every state requires life insurance agents to pass a licensing exam. The exam covers life insurance products, state regulations, and ethical practices. Most states require 20 to 40 hours of pre-licensing study. After you pass, you can apply to work for an insurance company or brokerage. Some companies provide study materials and exam fees as part of hiring.