Insurance Agent Salary

Hackensack vs Trenton: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Hackensack, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hackensack, NJ
$71,324
$34.29/hr
Trenton, NJ
$74,799
$35.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHackensack, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$71,324$74,799
Hourly Rate$34.29$35.96
Entry Level (P10)$46,017$49,262
25th Percentile$55,394$60,212
75th Percentile$91,295$103,351
Top Earner (P90)$110,553$163,553
Total Employed8320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hackensack ($71,324) and Trenton ($74,799) insurance agent salaries.HackensackTrentonMedian Salary$71,324$74,799Entry Level (P10)$46,017$49,262Top Earner (P90)$110,553$163,553US Median $64,522

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hackensack.

The salary gap between Hackensack and Trenton is $3,475 (4.87%). Trenton's median is +15.93% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hackensack spans $64,536,Trenton spans $114,291. Trenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced insurance agents.

Hackensack
P10 (Entry)$46,017
P25$55,394
Median$71,324
P75$91,295
P90 (Top)$110,553
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$49,262
P25$60,212
Median$74,799
P75$103,351
P90 (Top)$163,553

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($72,494 effective) pays 17.09% more than Hackensack ($61,913 effective).

Hackensack
Nominal: $71,324
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $61,913
Trenton
Nominal: $74,799
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $72,494

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hackensack if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,799/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($163,553)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,494)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Hackensack grew -24.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Hackensack, NJ

+-24.0%

$90,644 (2024) → $68,846 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+29.7%

$55,660 (2019) → $72,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Hackensack or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median insurance agent salary at $74,799/year, compared to Hackensack at $71,324/year — a difference of $3,475 (4.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hackensack and Trenton?

Hackensack insurance agents earn $34.29/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $35.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hackensack to Trenton as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hackensack and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hackensack = $61,913, Trenton = $72,494), job availability (8 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Hackensack vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $46,017 in Hackensack and $49,262 in Trenton. The Trenton 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