Insurance Agent Salary

Seattle vs Tumwater: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Seattle, WA and Tumwater, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$63,849
$30.70/hr
Tumwater, WA
$69,159
$33.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WATumwater, WA
Median Salary$63,849$69,159
Hourly Rate$30.70$33.25
Entry Level (P10)$41,958$40,896
25th Percentile$51,261$53,853
75th Percentile$98,544$88,524
Top Earner (P90)$134,369$107,197
Total Employed5,8906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($63,849) and Tumwater ($69,159) insurance agent salaries.SeattleTumwaterMedian Salary$63,849$69,159Entry Level (P10)$41,958$40,896Top Earner (P90)$134,369$107,197US Median $64,522

Verdict

Seattle and Tumwater are closely matched on overall insurance agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Seattle and Tumwater is $5,310 (8.32%). Tumwater's median is +7.19% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $92,411,Tumwater spans $66,301. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$41,958
P25$51,261
Median$63,849
P75$98,544
P90 (Top)$134,369
Tumwater
P10 (Entry)$40,896
P25$53,853
Median$69,159
P75$88,524
P90 (Top)$107,197

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tumwater ($64,394 effective) pays 12.08% more than Seattle ($57,453 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $63,849
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $57,453
Tumwater
Nominal: $69,159
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $64,394

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($134,369)
  • Larger job market (5,890 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tumwater if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,159/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,394)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Seattle grew 3.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.8% growth in Tumwater over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+3.4%

$59,630 (2019) → $61,630 (2025)

Tumwater, WA

+-11.8%

$75,695 (2024) → $66,756 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Seattle or Tumwater?

Tumwater has a higher median insurance agent salary at $69,159/year, compared to Seattle at $63,849/year — a difference of $5,310 (8.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Tumwater?

Seattle insurance agents earn $30.70/hr while Tumwater hygienists earn $33.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Tumwater as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Tumwater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $57,453, Tumwater = $64,394), job availability (5,890 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Seattle vs Tumwater?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $41,958 in Seattle and $40,896 in Tumwater. The Seattle 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