Insurance CSR salary in New York
Most New York CSRs earn less than the state's overtime salary floor. That shapes how you pay them.
Customer service representatives in New York earned a median of $48,000 a year, or $23.08 an hour, in May 2025 (BLS, all industries). Insurance claims and policy processing clerks earned a median of $57,790. Both are below New York's 2026 salary floor for overtime exemption, $1,275 a week in NYC, Long Island and Westchester and $1,199.10 elsewhere. A CSR paid less than that floor must get overtime.
New York CSR pay at a glance
| Percentile | Customer service reps | Claims and policy processing clerks |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,270 | $44,980 |
| 25th | $40,360 | $48,480 |
| Median | $48,000 ($23.08/hr) | $57,790 ($27.79/hr) |
| 75th | $60,280 | $64,880 |
| 90th | $76,280 | $76,870 |
The CSR figure covers every industry, not just insurance. An insurance CSR with a license and carrier knowledge usually sits above the median. Policy processing clerks are a closer match for back-office insurance work.
The overtime salary floor
New York sets its own salary floor for the administrative exemption. It's higher than the federal one.
| Where | Weekly floor (2026) | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester | $1,275.00 | $66,300 |
| Rest of state | $1,199.10 | $62,353 |
In practice: most CSRs in New York earn less than this floor. Pay them hourly, track their time, and pay overtime past 40 hours.
What raises CSR pay
- A license. A licensed CSR can quote and advise. Unlicensed staff are limited to ministerial tasks. See New York CSR license requirements.
- Commercial lines. Commercial account managers handle larger, more complex accounts.
- Location. Pay differs between downstate and upstate markets. BLS publishes metro figures on its site.
- AMS skill. Someone who already knows your system ramps faster.
Free tool: Calculate market pay for a CSR or account manager in your part of New York. About 3 minutes.
The full cost
Salary is only part of it. BLS data shows benefits and payroll taxes make up about 30% of total compensation for private employers. On a $48,000 salary, that puts the total near $68,600 a year, before recruiting and training. See the full cost of a CSR.
Where Humai fits
If the desk isn't full every week, Humai lets you pay for the work instead of the seat. Licensed U.S. agents who hold New York licenses, checked in NIPR, work in your AMS under your name. Pay per task, part-time or full-time.
Questions agency owners ask
What does an insurance CSR make in New York?
BLS reports a median of $48,000 a year for customer service representatives in New York across all industries, and $57,790 for insurance claims and policy processing clerks (May 2025). Licensed CSRs and commercial account managers usually earn more.
Is there a BLS figure for insurance account managers?
No. BLS has no separate account manager category. Use the policy processing and insurance sales agent figures as a floor and a ceiling, and check local job posts.
Can I pay a CSR a salary with no overtime in New York?
Only if they meet both the duties test and New York's salary floor. In 2026 that floor is $1,275 a week in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, and $1,199.10 a week in the rest of the state.
How much do benefits add?
BLS data for June 2026 shows benefits, including payroll taxes, made up about 30% of total compensation for private-industry workers.
Do I need to post the pay range for a CSR job?
Yes, if you have four or more employees. New York requires a good-faith pay range in job ads.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025: New York state occupational employment and wage estimates
- NY DOL: Minimum wage FAQ (2026 exempt salary thresholds)
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026
- 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.