There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
Account Manager, Broker, Group Benefits Representative, Life Insurance Agent, Property Insurance Agent, Salesperson
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Insurance agents represent their clients to insurance companies, either as employees or as independent representatives. They may work on contract with more than one company.
Insurance brokers represent their clients as an intermediary. They typically work under contract to multiple insurance companies or a managing general agency. They place policies directly with whichever company can best serve the needs of individual clients.
Depending on the licence they hold, insurance agents and brokers may sell:
Some agents and brokers sell specialized types of insurance such as:
Insurance agents and brokers:
Property / casualty insurance agents or brokers may also inspect property to decide if it fits company underwriting standards. They determine its general condition, type of construction, age, and other characteristics.
For information about duties and responsibilities related to financial planning, see the Financial Planner occupational profile.
Hours of work vary. Agents and brokers may work evenings and weekends prospecting clients, making calls, or catching up on paperwork. They may need to work overtime in the event of natural disaster or other large-scale catastrophe.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in compiling information to ensure appropriate forms, medical examinations and other policy requirements are completed; and to identify potential clientele
Interest in persuading to solicit potential clientele and to sell automobile, fire, health, property, marine, aircraft and other types of insurance to clients
Interest in monitoring insurance claims and in responding to clients' enquiries
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Insurance agents and brokers need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 95 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 28, 2021 and Apr 22, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Establish client insurance coverage, calculate premiums and establish method of payment | 54 |
|---|---|
| Attention to detail | 47 |
| Tasks: Provide information concerning group and individual insurance packages, the range of risk coverage, benefits paid and other policy features | 45 |
| Tasks: Ensure appropriate forms, medical examinations and other policy requirements are completed | 41 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 39 |
| Insurance Experience: House insurance | 37 |
| Insurance Experience: Automobile insurance | 37 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 37 |
| Tasks: Monitor insurance claims and respond to clients' enquiries | 36 |
| Tasks: Identify and assess potential institutional, business and individual client markets | 34 |
Most employers require applicants to have at least a high school diploma. However, the insurance business is very competitive. Many agents and brokers have post-secondary education. Some agents and brokers learn the basics on the job before taking the courses and examinations required for licensure or professional designation.
The Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) maintains a list of approved educators. These education providers offer courses to prepare students for the licensure examinations. Visit the AIC website for details.
Before enrolling in an education program, prospective agents and brokers should discuss their training options with potential employers.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Insurance agents assess people’s financial needs and advise them on how to protect themselves against financial loss. They may represent insurance companies directly or as independent representatives. They sell life, property, casualty, automobile, or health insurance policies to individuals, businesses, or public institutions.
Under Alberta’s Insurance Act [pdf] and Insurance Agents and Adjusters Regulation [pdf], you must be licensed by the Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) to sell insurance in Alberta.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Insurance Agent.
Insurance agents and brokers can also pursue professional designation outside the legislated requirement for licensing. These include:
For more information on training programs and certification requirements, visit the organization’s website.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Insurance agents and brokers work for:
Summer employment can be a good way to gain practical experience. Insurance companies interview students on some college and university campuses. Interested individuals can also set up their own appointments to discuss opportunities with local insurance company managers. Job applicants may be asked to complete screening questionnaires or attend further interviews.
Some companies prefer new hires with a network of potential people who can become customers in the agent’s first year in business.
Experienced, successful insurance agents and brokers may move into supervisory and management positions. They may also move into head office jobs in administration, training, underwriting, sales promotion, or branch management.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 6231: Insurance agents and brokers occupational group, 98.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 6231: Insurance agents and brokers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 98 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Insurance agents and brokers may be paid a salary, work on a commission basis, or earn a combination of both. Incomes vary a lot depending on:
Some newly hired agents and brokers are paid a base salary and look after existing client accounts. To encourage them to find new clients, they often also receive a percentage of commissions on any new business they attract.
Some agents work on a full commission basis immediately, although most choose to receive a salary for 6 months or longer while they establish a client base.
Most agents and brokers pay their own car and travel expenses. Those that operate their own businesses will also pay other overhead expenses such as office rent and staff salaries.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.93 | $47.75 | $25.92 | $23.08 |
| Overall | $22.83 | $76.92 | $36.00 | $30.22 |
| Top | $26.93 | $109.74 | $62.16 | $47.46 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $71,022 |
|---|---|
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $70,072 |
Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada website: myadvocis.ca
Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) website: www.abcouncil.ab.ca
Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta (IBAA) website: www.ibaa.ca
Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) website: www.insuranceinstitute.ca
IIC, Career Connections website: www.career-connections.info
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
