Insurance Agent Salary

New York vs Valley Stream: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between New York, NY and Valley Stream, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$83,522
$40.16/hr
Valley Stream, NY
$64,504
$31.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYValley Stream, NY
Median Salary$83,522$64,504
Hourly Rate$40.16$31.01
Entry Level (P10)$44,703$37,413
25th Percentile$62,129$50,990
75th Percentile$133,737$82,566
Top Earner (P90)$182,346$99,982
Total Employed21,28010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($83,522) and Valley Stream ($64,504) insurance agent salaries.New YorkValley StreamMedian Salary$83,522$64,504Entry Level (P10)$44,703$37,413Top Earner (P90)$182,346$99,982US Median $64,522

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Valley Stream.

The salary gap between New York and Valley Stream is $19,018 (29.48%). New York's median is +29.45% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $137,643,Valley Stream spans $62,569. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$44,703
P25$62,129
Median$83,522
P75$133,737
P90 (Top)$182,346
Valley Stream
P10 (Entry)$37,413
P25$50,990
Median$64,504
P75$82,566
P90 (Top)$99,982

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($74,200 effective) pays 33.32% more than Valley Stream ($55,655 effective).

New York
Nominal: $83,522
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $74,200
Valley Stream
Nominal: $64,504
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $55,655

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,522/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($182,346)
  • Larger job market (21,280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,200)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Valley Stream if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in New York grew 29.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -37.1% growth in Valley Stream over the same period.

New York, NY

+29.9%

$62,050 (2019) → $80,620 (2025)

Valley Stream, NY

+-37.1%

$98,992 (2024) → $62,263 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: New York or Valley Stream?

New York has a higher median insurance agent salary at $83,522/year, compared to Valley Stream at $64,504/year — a difference of $19,018 (29.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Valley Stream?

New York insurance agents earn $40.16/hr while Valley Stream hygienists earn $31.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Valley Stream as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Valley Stream. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $74,200, Valley Stream = $55,655), job availability (21,280 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in New York vs Valley Stream?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $44,703 in New York and $37,413 in Valley Stream. The New York 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