Insurance Agent Salary

Rapid City vs Spearfish: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Rapid City, SD and Spearfish, SD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rapid City, SD
$79,254
$38.10/hr
Spearfish, SD
$57,412
$27.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRapid City, SDSpearfish, SD
Median Salary$79,254$57,412
Hourly Rate$38.10$27.60
Entry Level (P10)$52,504$34,564
25th Percentile$60,834$46,187
75th Percentile$103,952$73,488
Top Earner (P90)$138,389$88,988
Total Employed3105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rapid City ($79,254) and Spearfish ($57,412) insurance agent salaries.Rapid CitySpearfishMedian Salary$79,254$57,412Entry Level (P10)$52,504$34,564Top Earner (P90)$138,389$88,988US Median $64,522

Verdict

Rapid City, SD offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Spearfish.

The salary gap between Rapid City and Spearfish is $21,842 (38.04%). Rapid City's median is +22.83% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rapid City spans $85,885,Spearfish spans $54,424. Rapid City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rapid City
P10 (Entry)$52,504
P25$60,834
Median$79,254
P75$103,952
P90 (Top)$138,389
Spearfish
P10 (Entry)$34,564
P25$46,187
Median$57,412
P75$73,488
P90 (Top)$88,988

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rapid City ($88,890 effective) pays 43.68% more than Spearfish ($61,866 effective).

Rapid City
Nominal: $79,254
CoL Index: 89.16
Adjusted: $88,890
Spearfish
Nominal: $57,412
CoL Index: 92.8
Adjusted: $61,866

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rapid City if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,254/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($138,389)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,890)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Spearfish if…

  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Rapid City grew 34.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in Spearfish over the same period.

Rapid City, SD

+34.7%

$56,780 (2019) → $76,500 (2025)

Spearfish, SD

+19.8%

$46,270 (2024) → $55,417 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Rapid City or Spearfish?

Rapid City has a higher median insurance agent salary at $79,254/year, compared to Spearfish at $57,412/year — a difference of $21,842 (38.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rapid City and Spearfish?

Rapid City insurance agents earn $38.10/hr while Spearfish hygienists earn $27.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rapid City to Spearfish as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rapid City and Spearfish. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rapid City = $88,890, Spearfish = $61,866), job availability (310 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Rapid City vs Spearfish?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $52,504 in Rapid City and $34,564 in Spearfish. The Rapid City 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