Insurance Agent Salary

DeKalb vs Peoria: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

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

DeKalb, IL
$58,754
$28.25/hr
Peoria, IL
$48,878
$23.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeKalb, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$58,754$48,878
Hourly Rate$28.25$23.50
Entry Level (P10)$38,178$32,323
25th Percentile$45,831$43,978
75th Percentile$75,204$66,801
Top Earner (P90)$91,069$79,668
Total Employed9300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing DeKalb ($58,754) and Peoria ($48,878) insurance agent salaries.DeKalbPeoriaMedian Salary$58,754$48,878Entry Level (P10)$38,178$32,323Top Earner (P90)$91,069$79,668US Median $64,522

Verdict

DeKalb, IL offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between DeKalb and Peoria is $9,876 (20.21%). DeKalb's median is -8.94% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in DeKalb spans $52,891,Peoria spans $47,345. DeKalb has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

DeKalb
P10 (Entry)$38,178
P25$45,831
Median$58,754
P75$75,204
P90 (Top)$91,069
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$32,323
P25$43,978
Median$48,878
P75$66,801
P90 (Top)$79,668

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, DeKalb ($60,509 effective) pays 12.94% more than Peoria ($53,576 effective).

DeKalb
Nominal: $58,754
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $60,509
Peoria
Nominal: $48,878
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $53,576

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose DeKalb if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,754/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,069)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,509)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in DeKalb grew -10.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in Peoria over the same period.

DeKalb, IL

+-10.7%

$63,537 (2024) → $56,712 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+2.4%

$46,070 (2019) → $47,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: DeKalb or Peoria?

DeKalb has a higher median insurance agent salary at $58,754/year, compared to Peoria at $48,878/year — a difference of $9,876 (20.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between DeKalb and Peoria?

DeKalb insurance agents earn $28.25/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $23.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from DeKalb to Peoria as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing DeKalb and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: DeKalb = $60,509, Peoria = $53,576), job availability (9 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in DeKalb vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $38,178 in DeKalb and $32,323 in Peoria. The DeKalb 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