Insurance Agent Salary

Grants Pass vs Salem: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Grants Pass, OR and Salem, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grants Pass, OR
$57,840
$27.81/hr
Salem, OR
$62,295
$29.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrants Pass, ORSalem, OR
Median Salary$57,840$62,295
Hourly Rate$27.81$29.95
Entry Level (P10)$42,383$45,688
25th Percentile$48,133$45,802
75th Percentile$82,258$96,503
Top Earner (P90)$118,208$130,091
Total Employed100380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grants Pass ($57,840) and Salem ($62,295) insurance agent salaries.Grants PassSalemMedian Salary$57,840$62,295Entry Level (P10)$42,383$45,688Top Earner (P90)$118,208$130,091US Median $64,522

Verdict

Salem, OR offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grants Pass.

The salary gap between Grants Pass and Salem is $4,455 (7.70%). Salem's median is -3.45% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grants Pass spans $75,825,Salem spans $84,403. Salem has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced insurance agents.

Grants Pass
P10 (Entry)$42,383
P25$48,133
Median$57,840
P75$82,258
P90 (Top)$118,208
Salem
P10 (Entry)$45,688
P25$45,802
Median$62,295
P75$96,503
P90 (Top)$130,091

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($60,102 effective) pays 1.58% more than Grants Pass ($59,165 effective).

Grants Pass
Nominal: $57,840
CoL Index: 97.76
Adjusted: $59,165
Salem
Nominal: $62,295
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $60,102

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grants Pass if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,295/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,091)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,102)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Grants Pass grew 13.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.5% growth in Salem over the same period.

Grants Pass, OR

+13.1%

$49,360 (2019) → $55,830 (2025)

Salem, OR

+39.5%

$43,100 (2019) → $60,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Grants Pass or Salem?

Salem has a higher median insurance agent salary at $62,295/year, compared to Grants Pass at $57,840/year — a difference of $4,455 (7.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grants Pass and Salem?

Grants Pass insurance agents earn $27.81/hr while Salem hygienists earn $29.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grants Pass to Salem as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grants Pass and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grants Pass = $59,165, Salem = $60,102), job availability (100 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Grants Pass vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $42,383 in Grants Pass and $45,688 in Salem. The Salem 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