Insurance agent salary in New York
The median is $78,110. The range around it is huge.
Insurance sales agents in New York earned a median of $78,110 a year in May 2025, or $37.55 an hour (BLS). The mean was $101,750. The middle half earned between $55,810 and $125,350, and the top 10% earned more than $173,750. Pay spreads this wide because many producers earn commission, so book size drives the number.
New York producer pay at a glance
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| 25th | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Median | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| 75th | $125,350 | $60.26 |
| 90th | $173,750 | $83.54 |
About 22,420 people worked as insurance sales agents in New York in May 2025. The figure covers life, health and P&C, at carriers, captives and independent agencies.
Why the range is so wide
- Commission. A new producer with a small book earns near the bottom. A producer with a large book earns well above it.
- Lines. Commercial lines accounts are larger and more complex than personal lines.
- Base vs. no base. Some roles pay a salary plus commission. Others pay commission only.
- Market. The state figure blends New York City, Long Island and upstate pay.
Setting producer pay at your agency
- Decide the base. A new producer needs a base or a draw while the book grows. An experienced producer may want a higher commission share instead.
- Set new and renewal commission. Write down the split for new business and for renewals.
- Set the ramp. Say how long the base lasts and what happens after.
- Post the range. New York requires a pay range in job ads for employers with four or more employees. See our guide to New York pay transparency.
Free tool: Calculate market pay for a producer role in your area before you post the job. About 3 minutes.
What producers shouldn't be doing
A producer paid to sell often spends hours on service: endorsements, certificates and renewal questions. That time comes out of new business. Moving service to a licensed CSR or account manager lets the producer earn what you're paying them to earn.
Where Humai fits
Humai matches U.S.-licensed agents who hold New York licenses, checked in NIPR, to take service work off your producers. They work in your AMS under your agency's name. Pay per task, part-time or full-time.
Questions agency owners ask
What is the average insurance agent salary in New York?
BLS reports a mean of $101,750 and a median of $78,110 for insurance sales agents in New York (May 2025). The median is the better guide, because a few high earners pull the mean up.
Does this include producers at independent agencies?
Yes, along with agents at carriers, captive agencies and other employers. BLS counts all insurance sales agents in the state, about 22,420 people.
Do NYC agencies pay more than upstate?
BLS publishes metro-level figures on its site. The state number blends New York City, Long Island and upstate markets.
Do I have to post a pay range for a producer job in New York?
Yes, if you have four or more employees. For a job paid only on commission, a written statement that pay is commission-based can meet the state law.
How do I keep a producer focused on selling?
Take service work off their desk. Renewals, endorsements and certificates can go to a licensed service person.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025: New York state occupational employment and wage estimates
- BLS OEWS May 2025: insurance sales agents (41-3021)
- NY Labor Law § 194-b (pay transparency)
Licensing rules differ by state. This article is general information, not legal advice. Check with your state's department of insurance.