What license do you need to work for Aflac?
To work as a sales agent or benefits advisor for Aflac, you need a state insurance license in life and/or health insurance.
Licensing Requirements
- Type of License: A life and health insurance license (or specifically a health/disability insurance license depending on your exact state and the products you plan to offer).
- The Process: You do not need the license to apply or get a job offer, but you must earn it before you can officially sell policies.
- Study Time: Preparing for the state exam typically takes about 30 hours of studying.
- State Requirements: You must also pass a criminal background check and complete fingerprinting required by your state's department of insurance.
Is it hard to get hired at Aflac?
It is generally very easy to get hired for field and sales positions at Aflac, though corporate roles are more competitive.
Sales and Insurance Agent Roles
- Low barrier to entry: Many applicants report that the initial interview process on platforms like Glassdoor is straightforward and that local offices tend to accept a high volume of candidates.
- The process: It usually starts with a brief phone screening or a virtual group informational session/interview, followed by a second one-on-one or in-person interview.
- The catch: Because most field agent and benefits advisor roles are 100% commission-based 1099 independent contractor positions, the company has an open-door approach to recruiting. You will need to pass a background check and a state Life and Health insurance exam to finalize the hire.
Corporate and Professional Roles
- Competitive: Unlike entry-level sales, corporate, IT, or management positions at Aflac follow a traditional corporate hiring process.
- Requirements: These positions require multiple interview rounds, relevant specialized degrees or certifications (such as CPA or actuary credentials), and specific industry experience.
What qualifications do you need to work at Aflac?
To work at Aflac, you generally need to be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and obtain a state life and/or health insurance license.
Basic Requirements
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
- Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
- Licensing: A state-issued life and/or health insurance license is required for sales roles, though many positions allow you to get licensed after hiring or during onboarding.
- Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
- Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Key Skills and Traits
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and relationship-building abilities to connect with clients and employers.
- Self-Motivation: An entrepreneurial mindset and resilience, especially since many entry-level agent roles operate on commission.
- Tech Proficiency: Basic computer skills and familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software.
You can review specific open positions and role requirements directly on the Aflac Careers page.
How much does Aflac pay workers?
The amount Aflac pays its workers varies drastically depending on whether you are hired as a corporate employee or if you work as an independent insurance agent/benefits advisor.
The Crucial Distinction: Corporate vs. Sales Agents
- Insurance Agents & Benefits Advisors: Most local "job openings" for Aflac are for independent contractor positions. These roles are primarily commission-based. This means agents do not receive a standard hourly wage or base salary; their income depends entirely on the policies they sell and the residual income from renewals.
- Corporate & Administrative Staff: Corporate workers (IT, HR, customer service, claims processing) are paid traditional fixed salaries or hourly wages.
Average Salaries by Role
According to major employment platforms like Glassdoor and ZipRecruiter, the average nationwide salary for an Aflac worker sits around $65,000 to $70,000 per year, ranging from entry-level positions to specialized corporate roles:
| Department / Role | Estimated Average Annual Salary | Compensation Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representative | $40,668 – $45,889 | Hourly / Base | Indeed / Comparably |
| Claims Specialist | $55,000 – $76,000 | Hourly / Base | Glassdoor |
| Entry-Level Insurance Agent | $53,277 | Commission-equivalent | Indeed |
| Benefits Advisor | $70,123 | Commission-equivalent | ZipRecruiter |
| Senior Underwriter | $73,541 | Base Salary | Indeed |
| IT / Software Engineer | $108,731 | Base Salary | Comparably |
| Actuary | $114,670 | Base Salary | Indeed |
| Director of Sales / Marketing | $187,300 – $232,487 | Base + Executive Bonus | Comparably |
Important Realities for Sales Agents
If you are looking into an Agent or Benefits Advisor role, keep the following in mind:
- No Hourly Base: Employee reviews on Indeed note that you do not get paid for training hours or standard lead-generation activities (like cold calling).
- High Variance: Job listings often market agent roles with wide ranges (e.g., $50,000 to $125,000+) because your actual take-home pay tracks directly with your sales volume.
- Benefits: Independent contractors typically do not receive company-sponsored perks like paid vacation or health insurance, whereas internal corporate employees receive standard corporate benefits packages.
Are Aflac jobs commission only?
Yes, field sales roles like Aflac Benefits Advisors or Sales Agents are 100% commission-based independent contractor positions with no base salary.
Sales and Field Roles
- Structure: Classified as 1099 independent contractors, not traditional employees.
- Compensation: Income comes entirely from first-year sales commissions, renewal (residual) income, bonuses, and sales contests.
- Financial Risk: There is no hourly pay or base salary; earnings depend completely on closing sales and maintaining accounts. Agents can also face "chargebacks" if a client cancels their policy early, requiring the agent to return a portion of the advanced commission.
- Details: You can review the official position overview on the Aflac Career Opportunities Page.
Corporate and Internal Roles
- Structure: Administrative staff, corporate headquarters personnel, IT professionals, and call center workers are traditional employees.
- Compensation: These non-sales support roles receive standard hourly wages or annual salaries with corporate benefits.
AFLAC Sales Career [Advice For Prospective Agents]
9 related questions found
Does Aflac pay well?
Whether Aflac pays well depends heavily on your role, but for most field agents, income is 100% commission-based and can be very inconsistent, especially at first.
Earnings and Compensation
- National Averages: The average annual pay for an Aflac insurance agent in the United States is roughly $65,022, while agents in major areas like Los Angeles average about $70,696 per year.
- The Reality of Commission: Many contributors on platforms like Reddit r/Insurance point out that new agents often make little to no income in their first few months because there is no base salary.
- Top Earners: High-performing or veteran agents who build a strong book of business and secure large group accounts can make upwards of $100,000+ per year.
Pros and Cons of Aflac Pay
- Inconsistent Start: Reviews on Indeed note that you need personal savings to survive the first few months without steady pay. You also have to pay out-of-pocket for licensing and training expenses.
- High Earning Potential: Successful, self-motivated agents benefit from residual/renewal income and bonuses over time.
- Internal Corporate Roles: Salaried corporate or administrative roles at Aflac offer stable pay ranging from roughly $45,000 to over $190,000 depending on experience and seniority.
You can learn more about becoming an agent or exploring opportunities directly on the Aflac Sales Career Page.
Do aflac agents make money?
Yes, Aflac agents can make money, but because the role is 100% commission-based and structured as an independent contractor (1099) position, earnings vary widely and depend entirely on sales.
How Pay Works
- Commission Only: Agents do not receive a base salary or hourly wage. They only earn money when they sell insurance policies or sign up new business accounts.
- Averages: Average annual earnings reported across major employment platforms like ZipRecruiter sit around $65,022, with typical ranges falling between $44,500 and $77,000. Higher-performing agents or those managing larger books of business can make significantly more, while beginners often make very little.
- Residual/Renewal Income: Over time, agents can build a passive income stream from policy renewals, meaning they continue to earn a percentage as clients maintain their coverage year after year.
The Financial Challenges
- Slow Start: Many new agents report making little to no money during their first several months while building a client base.
- Unpaid Expenses: Because agents are independent contractors, they pay out of pocket for their own licensing, gas, travel, and marketing costs without reimbursement.
- Self-Employment Taxes: Agents must handle their own taxes (including a 15% self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare) and quarterly filings, as taxes are not withheld automatically.
Opinions on Quora are mixed: some former agents describe high turnover, grueling cold-calling, and financial stress, while successful agents emphasize that strong sales skills and self-motivation can lead to high flexibility and solid earnings.
Does Aflac pay for training?
No, Aflac does not pay a salary or hourly wage during training.
How Aflac Compensation Works
- 100% Commission: Aflac agents and benefits advisors operate as independent contractors or commissioned sales representatives.
- No Paid Training: You are not compensated for the time you spend studying for your state insurance license, attending onboarding, or going through initial sales training.
- Earning Start: Pay begins only after you successfully open accounts, onboard clients, or close sales.
What "Training Provided" Means
- Instruction, Not Salary: When job listings say "training provided," it means Aflac provides educational resources, online modules, and on-demand professional development.
- Licensing Costs: You typically have to pay for your own state licensing exams and study materials, though some local offices offer discounts or promotional codes to help reduce those upfront costs.
Does Aflac hire remote workers?
Yes, Aflac hires remote and hybrid workers for both corporate positions and independent insurance sales roles.
Types of Remote Opportunities
- Corporate & Employee Roles: Aflac offers remote and hybrid positions in fields like software engineering, enterprise risk management, claims processing, and customer support. These are standard employee positions with designated remote statuses, though some may occasionally require office visits depending on business needs.
- Sales & Insurance Agents: Aflac works with independent, work-from-home insurance agents and sales representatives. These roles often involve flexible schedules, lead generation, and commission-based pay, alongside company-provided training.
How to Apply Safely
- Browse open remote employee listings directly through the official Aflac Careers portal.
- Beware of scams: Aflac will never ask prospective employees to send money, buy their own equipment, or pay for onboarding training.
Is selling aflac insurance a good career?
Selling Aflac insurance can be a good career for highly self-motivated entrepreneurs with strong networking skills, but it is high-risk and difficult for beginners due to its commission-only structure.
You can review specific agent expectations and ratings directly on Indeed's Aflac Agent Reviews.
The Pros
- High Earning Potential: Top performers can build a lucrative book of business and earn residual, passive renewal income over time.
- Schedule Flexibility: You act as an independent contractor, giving you control over your hours and work-life balance.
- Strong Brand Recognition: Aflac is a well-known, Fortune 500 supplemental insurance leader, which can ease initial cold outreach.
The Cons
- No Guaranteed Salary: Most agent positions are 100% commission-only (1099), meaning you make zero money if you do not close sales.
- High Failure and Turnover Rate: Building a steady client base takes months or years, requiring personal savings or a second job when starting out.
- Relentless Prospecting: The role involves heavy cold-calling, business-to-business networking, and rejection.