Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $29.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Cary, NC runs $29.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,761 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,055 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, insurance agents earn a median hourly rate of $29.69, slightly below the national median of $31.02. This hourly pay translates into viable opportunities for part-time workers—those seeking 24 hours a week in agency settings can expect a steady income while balancing other commitments. Moreover, the hourly earnings range from $18.47 for entry-level positions to as high as $46.02 for seasoned professionals managing complex portfolios or specializing in high-value policies. Notably, roles exist in various settings, including captive agent storefronts, independent agency offices, and even remote operations focusing on client interactions and policy quoting. The figures presented are based on annual salary projections that have been normalized to an hourly framework, reflecting the compensation landscape for insurance agents in this region.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.47 | $147.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.71 | $181.67 |
| Median (P50) | $29.69 | $237.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.01 | $304.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.02 | $368.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $29.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.69/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $61,759 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,630. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,187.67 | $5,147 | $61,759 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.60 | $3,088 | $37,055 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.07 | $2,059 | $24,704 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Cary) | $29.69 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $61,761 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.28% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 17.90% above the North Carolina state average of $52,384.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.69/hr = $37,055/year (purchasing power: $39,589).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,759/year (purchasing power: $65,982).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Cary grew 22.3% from $23.44/hr (2019) to $28.66/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.76/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 Cary 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 Cary
Part-time agents in Cary, working three days a week, may realize a significant difference in their annual take-home compared to a full-time counterpart. For instance, a part-time agent earning the hourly median paycheck would approximate $46,547 annually, compared to a full-time agent's potential earnings that could exceed $61,761. While per-diem work or 1099 arrangements are less common in insurance due to the predominance of commission-based earnings, specialized roles like risk consultants or expert witnesses can command hourly rates much higher, reflecting their niche expertise. In Cary, the different types of organizations—captive insurance companies, independent agencies, or large commercial firms—can significantly affect the pay scale. Captive agents, while often compensated lower, typically receive benefits such as health insurance, while independent agents might enjoy higher pay without those same perks. For those negotiating hourly rates, understanding the local market dynamics and the type of agency can be key to a successful strategy.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Cary. 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 Cary 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