Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Watertown, NY: $30.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Watertown, NY runs $30.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,942 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,361 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Watertown, New York, the insurance agent hourly pay is projected to be $30.74 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.02 per hour. This figure holds significance for both full-time and part-time agents, particularly those considering a 3-day work week. Part-time professionals might expect to earn around $2,400 monthly with such a schedule. The hourly range varies substantially, spanning from $19.64 for entry-level positions to $50.29 for top earners, making insurance careers versatile across various settings such as independent agencies, captive storefronts, and commercial brokerage offices. This BLS data illustrates the overall compensation landscape for insurance agents specifically in Watertown, emphasizing the earning potential within this occupation.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.64 | $157.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.15 | $193.19 |
| Median (P50) | $30.74 | $245.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.90 | $303.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.29 | $402.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $30.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.74/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, NY can expect to earn approximately $63,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,886. With a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,229.52 | $5,328 | $63,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $737.71 | $3,197 | $38,361 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $491.81 | $2,131 | $25,574 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Watertown) | $30.74 |
| 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 Watertown, NY earn a median of $63,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 3.80% below the New York state average of $66,468.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.74/hr = $38,361/year (purchasing power: $43,746).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,935/year (purchasing power: $72,911).
CoL index: 87.69 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Watertown grew 39.7% from $21.24/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.84/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Considering a part-time work style, an insurance agent in Watertown working only three days a week at 24 hours could potentially take home around $28,088 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Although per diem work is less common in this sector, many agents operate on commission, contrasting with risk management consultants who charge $200 to $400 per hour or expert witnesses involved in coverage disputes earning $300 to $600 an hour. Hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employer type: captive agents with companies like State Farm or Allstate may earn differently from those at independent agencies or large commercial firms, where compensation might be higher for complex roles in specialty lines. Agents frequently weigh lower hourly rates against benefits such as health insurance when choosing their positions. Negotiating effectively entails understanding local standards and emphasizing your qualifications, particularly if you possess credentials such as CPCU or CIC that can signify added value in the competitive Watertown market.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for insurance agents in Watertown in 2026?
How much do part-time insurance agents make in Watertown?
Are insurance agents in Watertown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time insurance agent make per year in Watertown?
Do insurance agents earn more per hour working part-time in Watertown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Watertown. 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