Q1 2026 Insurance Labor Market Study Results Indicate Ongoing Stability
The latest iteration of the Semi-Annual U.S. Insurance Labor Market Study, conducted by The Jacobson Group, the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry, and Aon plc (NYSE:AON), a leading global professional services firm, found 93% of respondents intend to increase or maintain staff size in the next 12 months.
"Overall insurance carrier employment has remained fairly flat throughout the past few years," said Jeffrey Blair, senior vice president of executive search and business development at The Jacobson Group. "Looking forward, our study found 43% of carriers plan to maintain their staff size in 2026, which is a 15-year peak and 10 points higher than last January. We're seeing a lot more focus on retention programs and proactive performance management."
"As employee turnover continues to decline, many companies are not in situations to replace staff as quickly," added Jeff Rieder, head of performance benchmarking for the Strategy and Technology Group for Aon. "Key roles within claims, underwriting and analytical functions still remain in demand."
Some of the study's key findings include the following:
- In the next 12 months, 50% of insurance carriers plan to increase staff, which is 5 points lower than reported in the January 2025 study. Just 7% plan to decrease staff.
- Technology, claims and underwriting roles remain the industry's greatest need.
- Seventy-two percent of companies expect revenue growth during the next year, down 2 points from January 2025.
- Compared to January 2025, recruiting difficulty has slightly eased in every category. Actuarial, executive and analytics roles remain the most challenging to fill.
- During the next six months, 71% of carriers expect most employees to work a hybrid schedule. Seven percent require employees in the office every day, up from 3% in January 2025 and down from 8% in July 2025.
- If carriers follow through on their plans, the industry will see a 0.91% increase in employment during the next 12 months.
For more highlights and commentary, view the full results summary and recorded webcast.
The insurance labor market study has been conducted semi-annually since 2009. Collecting revenue and hiring projections from carriers across all sectors of the industry, it provides a valuable look at the insurance labor market outlook and hiring trends.
The study's next iteration will occur in July 2026. To be alerted when it opens, sign up for labor study notifications.
About The Jacobson Group:
The Jacobson Group is the leading provider of talent to the insurance industry. For more than 50 years, Jacobson has been connecting insurance organizations with professionals at all levels across all industry verticals. Jacobson provides insurance talent solutions to support virtually any human capital need. We offer executive search services and comprehensive staffing solutions, including professional recruiting, temporary staffing and interim experts.
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About Aon:
Aon plc (NYSE:AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.
Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here.
Aon UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the provision of regulated products and services in the UK. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 00210725. Registered Office: The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AN. Tel: 020 7623 5500. Aon is not responsible for the content of the third party website.
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The Jacobson Group
Whitney Stephens
wstephens@jacobsongroup.com
Aon plc
Andrew Wragg
+44 (0) 7595 217168
andrew.wragg@aon.com