Insurance Agent Salary

Appleton vs Brookfield: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Appleton, WI and Brookfield, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Appleton, WI
$80,031
$38.48/hr
Brookfield, WI
$78,774
$37.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAppleton, WIBrookfield, WI
Median Salary$80,031$78,774
Hourly Rate$38.48$37.88
Entry Level (P10)$51,272$47,487
25th Percentile$62,854$61,763
75th Percentile$105,703$100,831
Top Earner (P90)$184,315$122,100
Total Employed5506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Appleton ($80,031) and Brookfield ($78,774) insurance agent salaries.AppletonBrookfieldMedian Salary$80,031$78,774Entry Level (P10)$51,272$47,487Top Earner (P90)$184,315$122,100US Median $64,522

Verdict

Appleton, WI offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brookfield.

The salary gap between Appleton and Brookfield is $1,257 (1.60%). Appleton's median is +24.04% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Appleton spans $133,043,Brookfield spans $74,613. Appleton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Appleton
P10 (Entry)$51,272
P25$62,854
Median$80,031
P75$105,703
P90 (Top)$184,315
Brookfield
P10 (Entry)$47,487
P25$61,763
Median$78,774
P75$100,831
P90 (Top)$122,100

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Appleton ($86,596 effective) pays 2.67% more than Brookfield ($84,340 effective).

Appleton
Nominal: $80,031
CoL Index: 92.419
Adjusted: $86,596
Brookfield
Nominal: $78,774
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $84,340

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Appleton if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,031/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($184,315)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,596)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Brookfield if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Appleton grew 27.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.6% growth in Brookfield over the same period.

Appleton, WI

+27.5%

$60,600 (2019) → $77,250 (2025)

Brookfield, WI

+33.6%

$56,932 (2024) → $76,037 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Appleton or Brookfield?

Appleton has a higher median insurance agent salary at $80,031/year, compared to Brookfield at $78,774/year — a difference of $1,257 (1.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Appleton and Brookfield?

Appleton insurance agents earn $38.48/hr while Brookfield hygienists earn $37.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Appleton to Brookfield as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Appleton and Brookfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Appleton = $86,596, Brookfield = $84,340), job availability (550 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Appleton vs Brookfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $51,272 in Appleton and $47,487 in Brookfield. The Appleton area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MBA

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. He specializes in property and casualty insurance. He has worked in both agency and corporate settings.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, CICData verified by Raj Patel, LUTCF

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.60% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MBA, a licensed insurance agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov