Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $29.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in New Orleans, LA runs $29.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,745 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Insurance agents in New Orleans, Louisiana, command a median hourly pay of $29.44, which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $31.02. This rate offers flexible potential for both part-time workers, who might work three days a week, and per-diem employees in various environments. Typical working conditions include captive agent storefronts, independent agency offices, and client visits for assessments. For entry-level agents, the hourly compensation ranges from $18.84, while experienced agents can earn up to $54.00 depending on performance and negotiation skills. This data reflects projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, shedding light on the competitive compensation landscape for insurance agents in LA.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.84 | $150.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.25 | $185.98 |
| Median (P50) | $29.44 | $235.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.11 | $320.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.00 | $431.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $29.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.44/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $61,242 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,332. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.72 | $5,103 | $61,242 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.63 | $3,062 | $36,745 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.09 | $2,041 | $24,497 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (New Orleans) | $29.44 |
| 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 New Orleans, LA earn a median of $61,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 17.90% above the Louisiana state average of $51,949.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.44/hr = $36,745/year (purchasing power: $39,683).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,242/year (purchasing power: $66,138).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in New Orleans grew 14.0% from $24.92/hr (2019) to $28.42/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.50/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
When considering part-time opportunities, insurance agents working three days a week (about 24 hours) can expect to earn around $36,000 annually, which is a comfortable income, albeit lower compared to full-time agents. Although per-diem insurance agent pay in New Orleans is not the norm, many agents often work on commission-based structures, particularly in independent agencies and commercial brokerages. Large brokerage firms may push rates higher, with some consulting roles reaching into $300-600 per hour, particularly for those with CPCU credentials. However, certain insurance agents may choose slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, providing a trade-off for those balancing employment types. For negotiating higher pay, understanding the diverse employer landscape—from captive agents at State Farm to online platforms like Geico—is crucial, as hourly rates can vary significantly with the type of firm.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for insurance agents in New Orleans in 2026?
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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 New Orleans. 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