Is Northwestern Mutual a good company to work for?

Northwestern Mutual has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 12,879 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 5% over the last 12 months. 72% of employees would recommend working at Northwestern Mutual to a friend and 73% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Northwestern Mutual have been left by employees working as Managing Director , Wealth Management Advisor and Director of Selection .

Does Northwestern Mutual pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Northwestern Mutual employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Northwestern Mutual. This rating has improved by 6% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Northwestern Mutual?

72% of Northwestern Mutual employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Northwestern Mutual 4.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.1 for culture and values and 4.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Northwestern Mutual?

Financial Representative (2902) , Financial Advisor (1419) , College Financial Representative (935) , Financial Representative Intern (427) , Intern (407) , Associate Financial Representative (260) , Recruiter (157) , Internship (116) , Associate Wealth Management Advisor (94) , Financial Services Representative (85) , Sales Representative (76) , Software Engineer (72) , Financial Planner (64) , Wealth Management Advisor (60) , Administrative Assistant (57)

What are the pros of working at Northwestern Mutual according to real employee reviews?

"The actual job was easy and I got to get to know some really great people!" ((in 902 reviews)); "NW has a great culture for someone who is inexperience to come into a role and learn." ((in 785 reviews)); "Great training and you will learn more about personal finances than you will anywhere else." ((in 584 reviews)); "Their healthcare benefits are great for the Milwaukee area staff (Miserable for New York folks)." ((in 247 reviews)); "Great training program they taught you a lot about the business and how it worked." ((in 220 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Northwestern Mutual according to real employee reviews?

"it is a commission only environment and it does tend to seem that it is a cattle call." ((in 553 reviews)); "No base salary and no client leads" ((in 407 reviews)); "Selling insurance isn't for everyone." ((in 169 reviews)); "You will be expected to sell an expensive insurance product that is inappropriate for 95% of the population to your friends and family." ((in 74 reviews)); "Culture can be ruined by a by a bad manager" ((in 50 reviews))

What are employees saying about Northwestern Mutual layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Northwestern Mutual layoffs and their outlook for job security at Northwestern Mutual in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Northwestern Mutual locations?

Milwaukee , New York , Chicago , Los Angeles , Dallas , Franklin , Denver , Atlanta , Pittsburgh , San Diego , Minneapolis , Boston , Houston , San Francisco , Philadelphia , Saint Louis , Tampa , Indianapolis , Richmond , Irvine , Seattle , Cincinnati , Orlando , Charlotte , West Hartford , Raleigh , Austin , Nashville , Columbus , Cleveland

Northwestern Mutual reviews

4.0

72% would recommend to a friend

(8,272 total reviews)

Timothy J. Gerend

95% approve of CEO

73% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Culture & values

4.1

Diversity & inclusion

4.0

Work/Life balance

4.0

Senior management

4.0

Career opportunities

3.8

Compensation and benefits

Northwestern Mutual has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 8,272 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Northwestern Mutual employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Financial Services industry (3.8 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

8K reviews

3.0

Sep 4, 2008

If you love sales you will love this career

Financial representative

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

To be your own boss. Take time off when you want it. Schedule your days to your needs. Communicate with many people daily. Solve real life issues that affect people in the future. Your income potential is dependant of you. The group I was with spent a lot of time training, and building a well balanced team. You can get valuable advice from just about anyone. The systems put in place maximize productivity. The leaders within the company are very positive outgoing people. The wealthier the market you get into the more money you can make. Did I mention you make your own hours?

Cons

It is very hard to get started. You need to devote a lot of time up front, when you don't know you will make it. It is a commission’s based career. You have to sell the rest of your life. In the begging you will experience huge business cycles. Prospecting clients is not that easy at first, and getting referrals. The job may feel redundant. You have to pay for everything. A rep may tell you that they make a lot of money, but much of it goes to pay expenses. All in do what you love and you with succeed!

5.0

Aug 31, 2008

Is Northwestern Mutual for me?

College intern (going full-time in january!)

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Whether you are a Full-time Financial Representative, or a part-time College Intern Northwestern Mutual provides an experience that can help you 1- decide if the industry is right for you, 2- helps you determine what specialty or niche you are most suited to work in, and finally you have a leadership team and back office support staff that helps you every step of the way.

Cons

This industry is not for everyone. For the right person it can be a dream for the wrong person a nightmare. people who do not have a strong economic base or those that can't take the financial risk of not being able to make "significant" income for at least 6 months should consider whether or not this career choice is suitable for you. For College kids I think that that the Northwestern Mutual internship provides that best experience for a college person to have if they foresee a career in finance post education. if you don't like working with people face-to-face and or can't handle rejection, or have less than stellar follow-up skills this career will eat you alive. This business is all about creating business opportunities through enduring relationships that can last for generations. Probably the biggest barriers to success for new people coming into the business is: 1- lack of financial feasibility (Northwestern actually helps off set this with a 4-6k stipend and a training allowance plan that helps new reps smooth cash flow) 2- fear of "selling" to friends and family (if you don't believe that you have something of value to offer people by helping them with their financial security ( believe it or not we do provide people value) than either you don't understand what you have to offer or your opinion of yourself and personal integrity are out of whack)

5.0

Aug 29, 2008

PLAY HARD year round at Northwestern Mutual!!

Director of recruiting

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Family Oriented Culture. Values. Opportunity. Job Security & Stability. Recognition. Opportunities to grow. Everyone is important. THE FUN! We're always celebrating! Whether it's a trip to Cabo San Lucas, inviting Steven Forbes in for Dinner, crawfish boils or throwing a "Thanks a Trillion" Party at the top of the Ritz Carlton, NM folks are always having a good time and celebrating their success! Alot of folks think just because we're in finance and insurance means that we are boring! Whatever! We've got one of the Nations Top Ten Internship programs, so the college kids keep us young!! You want to really see a party? Come to Milwaukee the last week in July and we NM folks will show you a good time!!!

Cons

You can get too passionate about working there that you overwork yourself. Sometimes it's hard to leave work, because when you are doing something to help others you feel good about it and well.... it really doesn't seem like work. Basically, you can experience burnout if you are not careful. It's sad sometimes. We work in a business where we are protecting families financially. When we have a client pass away it feels like someone in our family has passed away. We have strong relationships with our clients and we are there in the most important times of their lives....sometimes it's not the best times. It can be difficult to watch your friend die or become disabled. That's why our work is so important...helping protect families and loved ones from financial burdens.

Viewing 8254 - 8256 of 8,272 Reviews

Jobs at Northwestern Mutual

Investment Research Analyst

Front Desk Receptionist

College Financial Representative, Internship Program