Insurance Agent Salary

Smyrna vs Wilmington: Insurance Agent Salary (2026)

Compare insurance agent salaries between Smyrna, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Smyrna, DE
$60,791
$29.23/hr
Wilmington, DE
$85,919
$41.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSmyrna, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$60,791$85,919
Hourly Rate$29.23$41.31
Entry Level (P10)$40,092$50,724
25th Percentile$47,684$63,435
75th Percentile$77,813$109,976
Top Earner (P90)$94,226$133,174
Total Employed510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Smyrna ($60,791) and Wilmington ($85,919) insurance agent salaries.SmyrnaWilmingtonMedian Salary$60,791$85,919Entry Level (P10)$40,092$50,724Top Earner (P90)$94,226$133,174US Median $64,522

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for insurance agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Smyrna.

The salary gap between Smyrna and Wilmington is $25,128 (41.34%). Wilmington's median is +33.16% compared to the US national median of $64,522.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Smyrna spans $54,134,Wilmington spans $82,450. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced insurance agents.

Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$40,092
P25$47,684
Median$60,791
P75$77,813
P90 (Top)$94,226
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$50,724
P25$63,435
Median$85,919
P75$109,976
P90 (Top)$133,174

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($84,483 effective) pays 41.34% more than Smyrna ($59,775 effective).

Smyrna
Nominal: $60,791
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $59,775
Wilmington
Nominal: $85,919
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $84,483

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Smyrna if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,919/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,174)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,483)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, insurance agent salaries in Smyrna grew 0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Smyrna, DE

+0.5%

$58,415 (2024) → $58,679 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+30.6%

$63,490 (2024) → $82,933 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays insurance agents more: Smyrna or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median insurance agent salary at $85,919/year, compared to Smyrna at $60,791/year — a difference of $25,128 (41.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Smyrna and Wilmington?

Smyrna insurance agents earn $29.23/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $41.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Smyrna to Wilmington as a insurance agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Smyrna and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Smyrna = $59,775, Wilmington = $84,483), job availability (5 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level insurance agents earn in Smyrna vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) insurance agents earn $40,092 in Smyrna and $50,724 in Wilmington. The Wilmington 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