According to the latest iteration of the Semi-Annual U.S. Insurance Labor Outlook Study conducted by The Jacobson Group and Ward Group, 66 percent of companies intend to increase staff in 2015. This is the highest rate in the history of the survey. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported the unemployment rate for the insurance industry at 2.3 percent, continuing the recent trend of low industry unemployment.

“We are seeing a market stabilization and increased confidence in the industry,” says Gregory P. Jacobson, co-chief executive officer of Jacobson. “The result is a leveling-off of staffing and revenue forecasts.”

Some additional key findings include:

• Nearly 84 percent of organizations expect an increase in revenue throughout the upcoming year, the fourth highest level since the beginning of the survey.
• Technology, claims and underwriting positions continue to be the most in demand and are expected to grow the greatest during the next 12 months.
• If the industry follows through on its plans, we will see a 1.48 percent increase in industry employment through 2015, creating new jobs.

For more highlights, download the full insurance labor market study results summary.

The study’s next iteration will occur in July 2015. For details on how to participate, contact Vince Albers of Ward Group at valbers@wardinc.com.

About The Jacobson Group:

The Jacobson Group is the leading global provider of insurance talent. For more than 40 years, we have been connecting insurance organizations with professionals from the board room to the back room on both a permanent and temporary basis. We offer a variety of solutions including executive search, professional recruiting, emerging talent, RPO, temporary staffing, subject matter experts, and onsite and work-at-home operations support. Regardless of the need or situation, Jacobson is the insurance talent solution. Further information is available at jacobsononline.com.

About Ward Group®:

Ward Group is the recognized leader of benchmarking and best practices studies for insurance companies. The firm analyzes staff levels, compensation, business practices and expenses for all areas of company operations and helps insurers measure results, optimize performance and improve profitability. For more information about Ward Group, visit www.wardinc.com.