Insurance Agent Salary

Raleigh vs Salisbury: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Raleigh, NC and Salisbury, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$62,056
$29.84/hr
Salisbury, NC
$51,474
$24.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCSalisbury, NC
Median Salary$62,056$51,474
Hourly Rate$29.84$24.75
Entry Level (P10)$46,288$30,934
25th Percentile$48,143$38,336
75th Percentile$77,897$65,886
Top Earner (P90)$104,014$79,784
Total Employed2,9006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($62,056) and Salisbury ($51,474) insurance agent salaries.RaleighSalisburyMedian Salary$62,056$51,474Entry Level (P10)$46,288$30,934Top Earner (P90)$104,014$79,784US Median $64,522

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Salisbury is $10,582 (20.56%). Raleigh's median is -3.82% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $57,726,Salisbury spans $48,850. Raleigh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$46,288
P25$48,143
Median$62,056
P75$77,897
P90 (Top)$104,014
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$30,934
P25$38,336
Median$51,474
P75$65,886
P90 (Top)$79,784

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($63,221 effective) pays 14.96% more than Salisbury ($54,994 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $62,056
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $63,221
Salisbury
Nominal: $51,474
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $54,994

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,056/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,014)
  • Larger job market (2,900 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,221)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Raleigh grew 9.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.9% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+9.7%

$54,580 (2019) → $59,900 (2025)

Salisbury, NC

+-6.9%

$53,348 (2024) → $49,685 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Raleigh or Salisbury?

Raleigh has a higher median insurance agent salary at $62,056/year, compared to Salisbury at $51,474/year — a difference of $10,582 (20.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Salisbury?

Raleigh insurance agents earn $29.84/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $24.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Salisbury as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $63,221, Salisbury = $54,994), job availability (2,900 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Raleigh vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $46,288 in Raleigh and $30,934 in Salisbury. The Raleigh 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