Insurance Agent Salary

Columbus vs Stow: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Columbus, OH and Stow, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$53,064
$25.52/hr
Stow, OH
$59,114
$28.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHStow, OH
Median Salary$53,064$59,114
Hourly Rate$25.52$28.42
Entry Level (P10)$36,716$37,180
25th Percentile$46,320$45,386
75th Percentile$81,512$75,666
Top Earner (P90)$107,889$91,627
Total Employed3,2509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($53,064) and Stow ($59,114) insurance agent salaries.ColumbusStowMedian Salary$53,064$59,114Entry Level (P10)$36,716$37,180Top Earner (P90)$107,889$91,627US Median $64,522

Verdict

Columbus and Stow are closely matched on overall insurance agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Columbus and Stow is $6,050 (11.40%). Stow's median is -8.38% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $71,173,Stow spans $54,447. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$36,716
P25$46,320
Median$53,064
P75$81,512
P90 (Top)$107,889
Stow
P10 (Entry)$37,180
P25$45,386
Median$59,114
P75$75,666
P90 (Top)$91,627

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stow ($65,175 effective) pays 17.26% more than Columbus ($55,582 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $53,064
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $55,582
Stow
Nominal: $59,114
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $65,175

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,889)
  • Larger job market (3,250 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Stow if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,114/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,175)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Columbus grew -1.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Stow over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+-1.3%

$51,900 (2019) → $51,220 (2025)

Stow, OH

+13.9%

$50,107 (2024) → $57,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Columbus or Stow?

Stow has a higher median insurance agent salary at $59,114/year, compared to Columbus at $53,064/year — a difference of $6,050 (11.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Stow?

Columbus insurance agents earn $25.52/hr while Stow hygienists earn $28.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Stow as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Stow. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $55,582, Stow = $65,175), job availability (3,250 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Columbus vs Stow?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $36,716 in Columbus and $37,180 in Stow. The Stow 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