2025 Salary Trends in the Insurance Industry: What Firms Need to Know
Compensation planning in the insurance industry has never been more complex.
Between inflation hangovers, regulatory shifts, and a still-hot labor market in finance and accounting, many carriers are stuck between rising expectations and rigid budgets.
If you're trying to hire (or keep) top-tier finance talent this year, here’s what you need to know about salary trends in 2025—and what it means for your talent strategy.
It's a Candidate’s Market—And They Know It
We’ve all seen the headlines: layoffs in tech, whispers of a slowdown. But in insurance? Not so fast.
Accounting and finance leaders with industry-specific experience are still in high demand, especially those who bring a combination of GAAP and STAT reporting, reinsurance accounting, and ERP system transformation.
And they’re commanding higher pay.
In 2025, we’re seeing:
| Role | Median Salary | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance CFO (Mid-market P&C) | $277,000 | $384,000 | $460,000+ |
| Controller (Regional Carrier) | $192,000 | $247,000 | $280,000+ |
| Senior Reporting Manager (GAAP/STAT) | $165,000 | $198,000 | $230,000 |
| Senior Financial Analyst (with NAIC experience) | $115,000 | $130,000 | $160,000 |
Salaries are rising fastest for professionals who can interpret regulatory guidance, lead audits, or modernize financial systems. Experience with Workday, Oracle, and insurance-specific ERPs is especially valuable.
Geography Matters, But Flexibility Matters More
Yes, NYC and San Francisco still top the charts for base comp. But we're seeing high-paying opportunities pop up in Columbus, Charlotte, and Des Moines too.
The common thread? Flexibility.
In 2025, many candidates are prioritizing work environment even over higher pay. And they’re willing to make lateral moves if the work-life balance and long-term upside align.
For firms that can’t flex on salary, offering autonomy, reduced travel, or strategic project exposure can go a long way.
Bonuses Are Back and Getting Smarter
We’re seeing a rise in variable comp packages, especially in mid-size and privately held insurance firms. These include:
- Performance bonuses tied to
combined ratio improvements
- Retention bonuses for team leads during M&A or restructuring
- Equity or phantom stock for CFOs or first-in-leadership hires
And for Controllers or Heads of Reporting, we’re seeing creative “project bonuses” tied to clean audit cycles, ERP migration milestones, or NAIC filing accuracy.
What Hiring Managers Should Be Thinking About in 2025
Here’s what we’re advising our clients this year:
- Don’t benchmark against your past offers—benchmark against the current market.
- Be proactive with retention reviews. If you haven’t talked comp with your top performers in the last 12 months, someone else might.
- Build flex into your offers. Even if your base salary isn’t the highest, can you offer a compressed workweek, bonus upside, or leadership development?
And yes, always start with data.
Need the Full Picture?
We’ve compiled everything into our 2025 Insurance Salary Guide.
Want help structuring an offer or assessing your current salary bands?
Let’s talk. Our team is happy to provide a confidential compensation consultation.
Ready to Benchmark with Confidence?
Gain exclusive access to our
2025 Insurance Industry Salary Guide, tailored for finance, accounting, and executive roles across brokers and carriers.
📊 Get the compensation data your team needs to stay competitive in today’s market.
Or email us directly at
hello@lyneersearch.com.
About Lyneer Search Group
We specialize in placing elite
accounting and
finance professionals in the
insurance industry. Our clients include regional carriers, mutual insurers, and national P&C and life organizations navigating executive transitions, growth initiatives, and audit season challenges.
Access the Guide
