Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Laurel, MS: $24.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Laurel, MS runs $24.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,681 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Mississippi, the projected insurance agent hourly pay for 2026 stands at $24.58. This figure lags behind the national hourly median of $31.02, indicating that insurance agents in this region may face financial limitations compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the country. For part-time agents working three days a week, typically clocking in 24 hours, this translates to an annual income significantly lower than what full-time employees might earn. The hourly wage also reflects a broad range, from the entry-level rate of $16.14 to experienced professionals earning up to $38.11, which accommodates the diverse environments in which insurance agents operate, including captive agency storefronts and independent agency offices. As job roles expand to client business visits and remote policy quoting, understanding the hourly dynamics becomes increasingly essential in navigating career choices in this field.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.14 | $129.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.24 | $153.91 |
| Median (P50) | $24.58 | $196.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.47 | $251.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.11 | $304.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $24.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.58/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MS can expect to earn approximately $51,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,501. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $983.37 | $4,261 | $51,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $590.02 | $2,557 | $30,681 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.35 | $1,705 | $20,454 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Laurel) | $24.58 |
| 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 Laurel, MS earn a median of $51,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $55,287.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.58/hr = $30,681/year (purchasing power: $35,801).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,135/year (purchasing power: $59,668).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Laurel grew 22.3% from $19.41/hr (2019) to $23.73/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.47/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 Laurel 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 Laurel
Part-time insurance agents in Laurel may find their annual earnings substantially affected by the number of hours they commit to work. A part-timer working 24 hours a week could take home less than $30,000 annually, while full-time agents engaged in traditional agency roles might see compensation nearly double as they accumulate hours. It's essential to note that 1099 per-diem positions in the insurance sector are less common, with most agents operating under commission-based structures that can significantly vary across different employer types. Captive agents at major carriers like State Farm or Allstate might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, in contrast to independent agents who can negotiate higher pay but lack such advantages. For those considering negotiation within Laurel's insurance job market, understanding employer types and compensation trends is key to achieving optimal pay in line with personal career goals, especially as the industry trends shift towards alternative agency models.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Laurel. 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 Laurel 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