Insurance Agent in Illinois

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$59,340

trending_down -1.7% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.

engineering

17,640

Jobs (IL)

monitoring Stable

+3.7%

10-yr job growth

payments

$307

Licensing fees

schedule

3-7 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become an insurance agent in Illinois

To become a licensed Insurance Agent (Producer) in Illinois, individuals must be at least 18 years old and complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education per line of authority, with 7.5 hours in a classroom or webinar setting. After completing the education, applicants must pass the Illinois Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, administered by Pearson VUE, which costs $92 per exam. Finally, a $215 application fee is required, and a background check is conducted. Illinois offers reciprocity for individuals licensed in other states, waiving pre-licensing education and exam requirements under certain conditions.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $38,190

25th percentile $47,850

50th (median) $59,340

75th percentile $97,690

90th (experienced) $158,980

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Illinois. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Illinois requirements

Licensing body	Illinois Department of Insurance
State license	Required
Education	20-hour pre-licensing course per line of authority, with 7.5 hours required to be in a classroom or webinar setting.
Exam	Illinois Insurance Producer Licensing Exam ($92)
Application fee	$215
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: 18. Requires a background check. CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics, which must be completed in a classroom or webinar setting. A surety bond of $2,500 or 5% of premiums brokered (up to $50,000) is required for producers placing insurance with an insurer with whom they do not have an agent contract. The initial license fee may be prorated based on the applicant's birth month.

Source: Illinois Department of Insurance

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.7%

Average

Annual openings

47,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

568,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.34/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleIllinois license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an insurance agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as an insurance agent in Illinois? expand_more

The path to insurance agent licensure in Illinois: complete the required education (20-hour pre-licensing course per line of authority, with 7.5 hours required to be in a classroom or webinar setting.), pass the Illinois Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, and submit your application ($215 fee).

Does Illinois require insurance agent licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in Illinois. Illinois Department of Insurance handles insurance agent licensing — the Illinois Insurance Producer Licensing Exam is part of the process.

How much do insurance agents make in Illinois? expand_more

The median insurance agent salary in Illinois is $59,340 per year. — within a few percent of the $60,370 national figure. New insurance agents start around $38,190; seasoned professionals can reach $158,980.

How expensive is insurance agent licensing in Illinois? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($92) and application fee ($215) and required training.

How quickly can I become an insurance agent in Illinois? expand_more

In Illinois, becoming an insurance agent generally takes 3-7 weeks, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

Does Illinois require continuing education for insurance agents? expand_more

License renewal in Illinois requires completing 24.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.