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Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Study Results

Explore staffing projections and hiring plans for the U.S. insurance industry for the next 12 months.

Download the results from the Q1 2026 iteration of The Jacobson Group and the benchmarking division of Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group’s Semi-Annual U.S. Insurance Labor Market Study. A valuable industry tool, the study examines data collected on insurance industry hiring and revenue trends and projections.

The Changing Face of Insurance Talent

Understand, support and develop the industry’s next generation of leaders.

Download the white paper for strategies to help your organization better understand emerging generations, foster meaningful mentorship and build a future-ready workforce poised to lead the industry forward.

Competing for Technology Talent

Technology talent continues to be in high demand as insurers work to enhance customer experience, increase operational efficiency, personalize their offerings and compete in a quickly evolving environment.

Read our blog post for ways to be strategic and intentional in overcoming this talent challenge and effectively appealing to candidates within the technology space.

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Study Reflects a Steady Insurance Talent Outlook for 2026

According to findings from our Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study — now in its 17th year and conducted in partnership with Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group — the industry remains stable, though competition for the right talent continues. Half of insurance companies plan to grow their teams this year, while 43% intend to hold headcount steady — a 15-year high, up 10 points from just six months ago. Of the companies planning to expand, primary drivers include anticipated increases in business volume and market expansion. Just 7% of companies expect to reduce staff, down 7 points from July 2025, with automation, reorganization and overstaffing in specific areas cited as the main reasons. Technology roles continue to top the list of talent needs industry-wide, reflecting continued investment in AI and technology adoption across the industry. For smaller carriers, claims and underwriting are the most pressing hiring priorities, with technology close behind. Experienced professionals remain the industry’s greatest need overall, with 73% of insurers saying they’re most likely to hire experienced talent. However, interest in entry-level candidates is continuing to grow. One-quarter of respondents shared they are most likely to hire entry-level employees, up 5 points from July 2025 and 9 points from January 2025, with the strongest demand in operations (46%), claims (33%), and loss control and sales/marketing (which are tied at 29%). Just 2% of insurers are most likely to hire at the executive level; within that segment, technology represents the greatest area of need, with 10% of carriers actively seeking leadership talent in that space. Recruiting difficulty has eased slightly across every category compared to last January, yet most roles are still at least moderately difficult to fill. Actuarial, executive and analytics positions have held the top three spots for recruiting difficulty for five consecutive studies. Retention remains a clear priority as well, with voluntary turnover declining 0.4 points from January 2025. Flexibility continues to be the standard across the industry. Just 7% of carriers require the majority of their staff in the office daily. Meanwhile, 71% offer hybrid arrangements and 80% offer flexible work hours. Very few companies are planning significant changes to work arrangements during the next six months. From a revenue standpoint, 72% of insurers expect to see growth in 2026 and just 2% anticipate a decrease, primarily driven by changes in market share. For many organizations, building entry-level pipelines, investing in technical talent and strengthening retention will remain key to driving future growth. To download the full Q1 2026 results summary and view the results presentation, click here. The Semi-Annual U.S. Insurance Labor Market Study has collected revenue and hiring projections from carriers across all sectors of the industry since 2009. The next iteration of the survey will take place in July 2026. To be notified when it opens, follow this link.

Taking a Future-Focused Approach to Recruiting

In our latest article in partnership with the International Insurance Society, Jacobson's Marcia Bray discusses ways insurers can be proactive in refreshing their approach to attracting and securing top talent. 

Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study Results: Ongoing Stability

The results of our Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study are in and point to ongoing stability for 2026. Conducted in partnership with Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group, this semi-annual study is now in its 17th year and collects data on carriers’ hiring and revenue expectations for the next 12 months.  For 2026, the industry is expecting modest growth with 50% of companies intending to expand their teams. Forty-three percent plan to maintain their current headcounts, which marks a 15-year high and is up 10 points from July 2025. This is primarily driven by expected increases in business volume, followed by expansion of business or new markets. Just 7% of companies expect to decrease staff this year—which is down 7 points from July. Automation, reorganization and overstaffed areas are the primary reasons for these planned reductions. As the industry continues to scale technology and AI capabilities, it’s not surprising technology roles remain the insurance industry’s top talent need overall. However, small companies are most likely to hire for claims and underwriting, followed by technology. Seventy-three percent of carriers shared they’re most likely to hire experienced talent, followed by entry-level individuals at 25% (an increase of 5 and 9 points from July 2025 and January 2025, respectively) and executives at 2%. Entry-level positions are most in demand within operations (46%), claims (33%), and loss control and sales/marketing (tied at 29%). Carriers are most in need of executive-level talent within technology, at 10%. The study also found that recruiting difficulty has slightly eased for carriers in every category compared to last January. However, most positions are still considered at least moderately difficult to fill, with actuarial, executive and analytics roles remaining the most challenging for the fifth consecutive study. Retention continues to be a priority for carriers, with voluntary turnover down 0.4 points compared to January 2025. Although there’s attention on companies bringing employees back into the office full time, flexible schedules and hybrid work remain common within the insurance sector. Just 7% of carriers say the majority of their staff is expected in the office every day and 71% of insurers continue to offer a hybrid model. In the next 6 months, 3% of insurers expect to require employees in the office more frequently, while 2% plan to require employees in the office less. In addition to flexibility around work location, 80% of carriers offer flexible work hours. As the industry evolves, insurers are seeking more specialized talent and exploring how to incorporate technology and AI into a variety of functions. To stay relevant, ongoing skill development is essential.  Read our blog post, "10 Skills to Future-Proof Your Insurance Career" for a few skills that have a large impact at all career stages. If you’re looking to make a career move in 2026, check out our post on effective resumes. The Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study took place from January 13 through February 1, with participation from insurance carriers across all industry sectors. For more insight on the industry’s hiring plans and additional labor market trends, view the full report.

March 2026: Labor Market PULSE

AT-A-GLANCE LABOR MARKET NUMBERS Unemployment for the insurance carriers and related activities sector decreased to 1.8% in February. The insurance carriers and related activities sector gained 800 jobs in February. Industry employment decreased by approximately 45,400 jobs compared to February 2025. The U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.4% in February and the overall economy lost 92,000 jobs. INSURANCE INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS On a year-to-year basis, January* insurance industry employment was unchanged for property and casualty, and agents/brokers. Increases were seen for title (up 1.0%) and TPAs (up 0.8%). Meanwhile, jobs decreased in claims (down 21.2%), life/health (down 2.9%) and reinsurance (down 1.0%). On a year-to-year basis, January saw weekly earnings increases in all categories: title (up 9.0%), agents/brokers (up 8.5%), TPAs (up 6.1%), claims (up 5.0%), and property and casualty (up 3.4%). ** Notes: The BLS continues to revise numbers to be most accurate, which may contribute to inconsistencies, depending on when reports were pulled.  **The BLS has not reported on reinsurance and life/health insurance earnings since December 2024. The source for the data represented in PULSE is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Insurance data is derived from the insurance carriers and related activities sector.

Study Analysis: AI May Be Tempering Insurer Hiring

A new Insurance Journal article mentions The Jacobson Group and Aon’s Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study found that 43% of industry respondents expect to hold staffing steady. That figure is up 10 percentage points from January 2025.

Insurance Industry Poised for Modest Growth Despite Mounting Talent Challenges

A new Risk & Insurance article discusses that the Aon/Jacobson Q1 2026 labor market survey reveals hiring optimism tempered by difficulty filling specialized roles and competing for top talent. 

Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Study Results Infographic

Our Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study, conducted in partnership with Aon, reflects continued stability within the insurance labor market – and a 15-year-high watermark for the percent of carriers expecting to maintain their current staff sizes. Below, we share a few of the study’s highlights and carriers’ plans for the coming year.

AI Reshapes Insurance Hiring as Job Openings Hit Decade Low

Insurance Business Magazine highlights Jacobson and Aon's Q1 2026 Labor Market Study, discussing the transformation reshaping back office roles and hiring plans. 

The Changing Face of Insurance Talent

The insurance industry's talent landscape is undergoing a significant shift. With Generation Z firmly established in the workforce and Generation Alpha on the horizon, insurers must rethink how they attract, develop and retain the next wave of professionals.

Q1 2026 U.S. Insurance Labor Market Study Results

The Jacobson Group and the benchmarking division of Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group conducted a study to investigate hiring trends within the insurance industry.

Discovering What’s Possible This Insurance Careers Month

This Insurance Careers Month (ICM) marks 11 years of highlighting the rewarding and purpose-driven opportunities our industry has to offer. It’s a time to showcase insurance as a field where professionals – at every stage in their career journey – can grow, contribute and build meaningful careers. If you’re exploring what’s next in your career – whether you’re just starting out, considering a transition or looking for new challenges – insurance may offer more than you expect. The industry plays a vital role in people’s lives, helping individuals, families and businesses navigate uncertainty and move forward with confidence. For those who choose this path, it offers meaningful work, steady growth and a chance to truly make an impact. Below, our Vice President of Fulfillment Marcia Bray shares her perspective on ICM and why she encourages others to explore a career in insurance.   During Insurance Careers Month, we invite you to take a closer look at where a career in insurance could lead. And, if you’re already part of the industry, consider sharing your story. One conversation or one post could inspire the next generation of insurance professionals. Learn more about how ICM is making a difference at https://insurancecareersmovement.org/.

Making an Impact with Insurance Careers Month

This February marks the 11th annual Insurance Careers Month, providing a dedicated time for the industry to focus on raising our collective voices to inspire young talent to choose a career in insurance. This is the hallmark event of the Insurance Careers Movement – a grassroots initiative committed to inspiring young people to choose a career in insurance, sharing what makes the industry a great place to work and retaining its emerging leaders. As a proud co-founder of this movement, we’re inviting industry leaders to join us in inspiring more people to choose insurance as a rewarding, limitless and purpose-driven career.   Below, our CEO Corey Pinkham shares more about the importance of Insurance Careers Month and how you can get involved to champion the next generation of insurance talent.    Learn more about how ICM is making a difference here and on its website: https://insurancecareersmovement.org/.