Insurance Agent Salary

Chicago vs Woodridge: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Chicago, IL and Woodridge, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$71,733
$34.49/hr
Woodridge, IL
$59,991
$28.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILWoodridge, IL
Median Salary$71,733$59,991
Hourly Rate$34.49$28.84
Entry Level (P10)$38,487$36,037
25th Percentile$49,624$44,667
75th Percentile$104,108$76,788
Top Earner (P90)$169,697$92,985
Total Employed11,8709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($71,733) and Woodridge ($59,991) insurance agent salaries.ChicagoWoodridgeMedian Salary$71,733$59,991Entry Level (P10)$38,487$36,037Top Earner (P90)$169,697$92,985US Median $64,522

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodridge.

The salary gap between Chicago and Woodridge is $11,742 (19.57%). Chicago's median is +11.18% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $131,210,Woodridge spans $56,948. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$38,487
P25$49,624
Median$71,733
P75$104,108
P90 (Top)$169,697
Woodridge
P10 (Entry)$36,037
P25$44,667
Median$59,991
P75$76,788
P90 (Top)$92,985

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($69,244 effective) pays 12.08% more than Woodridge ($61,783 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $71,733
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $69,244
Woodridge
Nominal: $59,991
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $61,783

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,733/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($169,697)
  • Larger job market (11,870 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,244)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Woodridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Chicago grew 24.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.7% growth in Woodridge over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+24.7%

$55,520 (2019) → $69,240 (2025)

Woodridge, IL

+-10.7%

$64,875 (2024) → $57,906 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Chicago or Woodridge?

Chicago has a higher median insurance agent salary at $71,733/year, compared to Woodridge at $59,991/year — a difference of $11,742 (19.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Woodridge?

Chicago insurance agents earn $34.49/hr while Woodridge hygienists earn $28.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Woodridge as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Woodridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $69,244, Woodridge = $61,783), job availability (11,870 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Chicago vs Woodridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $38,487 in Chicago and $36,037 in Woodridge. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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