Carpenters vs Insurance Sales Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Sales Agents professionals earn $1,060 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 1.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$36,390$135,660
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Carpenters | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,760 | $36,390 | +$2,370 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,550 | $45,520 | +$2,030 |
| Median (50th) | $59,310 | $60,370 | $-1,060 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,620 | $91,150 | $-15,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,370 | $135,660 | $-37,290 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,040 | $81,510 | $-17,470 |
Employment Numbers
Carpenters
697,740
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Carpenters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $80,950 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $78,090 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,760 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $76,510 |
Best Cities for Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Carpenters or Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,060 (1.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
What is the salary range for Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Carpenters and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS