Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $38.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Los Angeles, CA runs $38.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,637 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,787 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Insurance agents in Los Angeles, CA, earn a median hourly pay of $38.29, which significantly exceeds the national median of $31.02. This robust hourly rate allows for an attractive earning potential, especially for part-time agents working three days a week. For those typically engaged in settings such as captive agent storefronts or independent agency offices, this earning translates to a reasonable income that can sustain living costs in a city with a high cost of living index. Hourly rates can vary widely, ranging from $18.65 for entry-level positions to as much as $80.45 for top earners, illustrating the diverse opportunities available within this profession. According to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures provide concrete insights into the earning capacity for insurance agents operating in various capacities, whether in-person consultations or remote policy services.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.65 | $149.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.06 | $192.45 |
| Median (P50) | $38.29 | $306.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.01 | $416.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.45 | $643.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $38.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.29/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,644 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,949. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,531.62 | $6,637 | $79,644 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $918.97 | $3,982 | $47,787 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $612.65 | $2,655 | $31,858 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Los Angeles) | $38.29 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent (National Avg) | $32.36 |
| Personal Financial Advisor (National Avg) | $51.62 |
| Insurance Underwriter (National Avg) | $37.70 |
| Claims Adjuster (National Avg) | $35.30 |
Insurance Agents in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $79,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.43% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 17.30% above the California state average of $67,892.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.29/hr = $47,787/year (purchasing power: $42,078).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,644/year (purchasing power: $70,130).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Los Angeles grew 51.5% from $24.40/hr (2019) to $36.96/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.67/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem insurance agents can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.60% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Insurance Agent in Los Angeles
Assessing the potential for part-time work reveals valuable insights into the insurance sector in Los Angeles. For an insurance agent working a 24-hour week, their annual take-home can still be substantial, especially when balanced with flexibility and work-life considerations. However, it is essential to note that most compensation structures in this industry typically skew towards commission-based earnings, with per-diem roles being less common. Those engaged in consulting or expert witness roles can charge significantly higher rates, reflecting specialized skills and experience. Hourly rates fluctuate across different employer types, where captive agents may receive benefits that higher-paying commercial brokerage positions often overlook. Agents must weigh the trade-offs of accepting potentially lower hourly rates that include health insurance against freelance opportunities yielding higher pay without such benefits. For those entering or progressing in this market, negotiating based on individual skill sets and market demand can prove advantageous in securing favorable arrangements that align with their professional goals in this vibrant landscape of insurance careers.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.60% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for insurance agents in Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.60%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for insurance agents (SOC 41-3021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MBA, a licensed insurance agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov