Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $30.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in West Des Moines, IA runs $30.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,523 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,508 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Des Moines, Iowa, the insurance agent hourly pay is projected to be $30.05 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.02. For part-time agents working three days a week, this rate translates into a feasible income while allowing flexibility, particularly in settings like independent agency offices or through virtual policy quoting. Those at the entry-level can expect earnings around $18.71, while experienced agents can achieve as much as $46.59. This hourly range highlights the varied compensation structure inherent in the profession, where pay often aligns more closely with experience and client engagement than exact work hours.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.71 | $149.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.25 | $178.03 |
| Median (P50) | $30.05 | $240.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.48 | $307.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.59 | $372.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $30.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.05/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $62,513 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,065. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.17 | $5,209 | $62,513 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.30 | $3,126 | $37,508 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.87 | $2,084 | $25,005 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (West Des Moines) | $30.05 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $62,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.10% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 2.70% below the Iowa state average of $64,258.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.05/hr = $37,508/year (purchasing power: $41,491).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,513/year (purchasing power: $69,152).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in West Des Moines grew 22.3% from $23.73/hr (2019) to $29.01/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.14/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
Earning potential for part-time agents who work 24 hours a week could equate to approximately $37,000 annually, framing a viable income for those balancing multiple responsibilities. However, much of the compensation in this field is commission-based, making per-diem positions rare. While some experts, such as risk managers or expert witnesses, earn considerably more—often between $200 and $600 per hour—the standard hourly compensation for independent and captive agents remains more stable. In West Des Moines, the type of employer can significantly influence the insurance agent hourly rate; captive agencies often offer additional benefits like health insurance, compelling some agents to accept lower hourly rates. Navigating compensation packages requires transparency and negotiation skills, particularly for new entrants in the market, to ensure that the balance between benefits and hourly pay aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 West Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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