Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Berkeley, NJ: $35.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Berkeley, NJ runs $35.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,818 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,688 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, insurance agents in Berkeley, NJ, can expect a median hourly pay of $35.01, significantly above the national median of $31.02. This advantageous hourly rate positions the profession favorably for those working part-time, such as individuals doing a three-day workweek. They can easily earn a decent income while managing personal commitments. The hourly range starts from $20.75 for entry-level agents and can peak at $54.27 for top earners, illustrating the potential for growth within this career. With varied work environments, agents find themselves either in storefronts and independent agencies or engaging in business visits and virtual policy consultations. Given that these figures are estimates based on annual salary data, they provide a useful framework for understanding inflationary impacts and shifts in the job market landscape.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.75 | $166.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.94 | $207.53 |
| Median (P50) | $35.01 | $280.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.81 | $358.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.27 | $434.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $35.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.01/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, NJ can expect to earn approximately $72,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,008. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,400.26 | $6,068 | $72,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $840.15 | $3,641 | $43,688 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $560.10 | $2,427 | $29,125 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Berkeley) | $35.01 |
| 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 Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $72,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $74,304.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.01/hr = $43,688/year (purchasing power: $37,924).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,813/year (purchasing power: $63,206).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Berkeley grew 22.3% from $27.64/hr (2019) to $33.79/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.27/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
When examining earning potential for part-time insurance agents in Berkeley, an agent working just 24 hours per week could bring home around $29,244 annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem work for insurance agents is uncommon, as most compensation models are commission-based. In contrast, seasoned consultants and risk managers often earn significantly higher rates, charging anywhere from $200 to $600 per hour, depending on their specialization and expertise. Hourly rates can fluctuate substantially across various employer types in Berkeley. Captive agents at firms like State Farm may find their earnings differ from those within independent multi-carrier brokerages or large corporate firms like Aon and Marsh, particularly when catering to different client needs. Agents might trade higher hourly rates for stability and benefits such as health insurance with certain employers. For those negotiating pay, being well-versed in the specifics of commission structures and benefits in their field can greatly enhance their bargaining position when seeking insurance agent hourly pay in Berkeley.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for insurance agents in Berkeley 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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