Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Ithaca, NY: $29.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Ithaca, NY runs $29.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,994 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Ithaca's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,198 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The hourly compensation for insurance agents in Ithaca, NY, sits at a median of $29.81, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This discrepancy can impact various work arrangements, especially for part-time agents who might work three days a week or per-diem agents who rely on flexible scheduling. Settings like captive agent storefronts, independent agencies, and customer visits shape the work experience, with the hourly range extending from $20.41 for entry-level positions to $72.22 for top performers. This BLS data emphasizes the diverse pay scales tied to experience and job expectations in the insurance profession, making it vital for aspiring agents to understand what they can realistically earn in Ithaca.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.41 | $163.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.98 | $199.82 |
| Median (P50) | $29.81 | $238.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.33 | $330.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.22 | $577.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ithaca
Based on $29.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.81/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ithaca, NY can expect to earn approximately $61,996 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,767. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ithaca.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ithaca
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,192.23 | $5,166 | $61,996 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $715.34 | $3,100 | $37,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.89 | $2,067 | $24,798 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Ithaca) | $29.81 |
| 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 Ithaca, NY earn a median of $61,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 6.70% below the New York state average of $66,446.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.81/hr = $37,198/year (purchasing power: $36,003).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,996/year (purchasing power: $60,006).
CoL index: 103.317 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Ithaca grew 40.2% from $20.52/hr (2019) to $28.77/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.88/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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
For part-time insurance agents working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can be significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, reflecting a specific trade-off in job flexibility versus income stability. Most compensation in this field comes from commissions rather than hourly wages, dictating a different earnings structure for per-diem or contract agents. For those consulting as risk managers, hourly pay ranges from $200 to $400, while expert witnesses can bill between $300 and $600 per hour in coverage disputes. The hourly pay varies considerably based on agency type; captive agents often earn less compared to those in independent agencies or commercial brokerages, which handle higher-value transactions. Additionally, some agents opt for positions that provide health insurance, resulting in lower hourly rates but greater overall benefits. For those working in Ithaca, negotiating pay should consider both hourly compensation and the value of perks or job security that different agency types offer.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for insurance agents in Ithaca in 2026?
How much do part-time insurance agents make in Ithaca?
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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 Ithaca. 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