Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in New Bern, NC: $24.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in New Bern, NC runs $24.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against New Bern's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,823 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, insurance agents in New Bern, NC, can expect a median hourly pay of $24.70, which notably falls short compared to the national median of $31.02. This discrepancy illustrates the local market dynamics and the impact of New Bern’s cost of living index, which stands below the national average at 93.6. For part-time workers looking to fill positions three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a modest part-time income, offering approximately $24,000 annually if working 24 hours a week. Entry-level agents may begin their careers earning around $14.78 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates upwards of $38.28. The hourly earnings reflect estimated annual salaries and indicate a diverse job landscape across various settings, including captive storefronts, independent agencies, and remote consultations.
About the New Bern 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) | $14.78 | $118.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.33 | $146.61 |
| Median (P50) | $24.70 | $197.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.61 | $252.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.28 | $306.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Bern
Based on $24.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.70/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Bern, NC can expect to earn approximately $51,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,638. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Bern.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Bern
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $987.93 | $4,281 | $51,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $592.76 | $2,569 | $30,823 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.17 | $1,712 | $20,549 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (New Bern) | $24.70 |
| 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 New Bern, NC earn a median of $51,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.39% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $52,363.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.70/hr = $30,823/year (purchasing power: $32,931).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,372/year (purchasing power: $54,885).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in New Bern grew 14.3% from $20.86/hr (2019) to $23.84/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.59/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 New Bern 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 New Bern
Part-time insurance agents in New Bern who work a standard schedule might earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, making close to $24,000 annually versus a full-time agent's potential earnings. The per diem insurance agent pay in New Bern often relies heavily on commission and does not typically involve per-diem work structures common in other professions. Compensation for independent agents may stem from commissions, where top performers in specialty and commercial lines can earn substantially higher than the hourly rates suggest. Insurance agents affiliated with larger firms and brokerage companies are likely to see variances in their pay, with hourly wages generally lower for captive agents than for those operating within independent or commercial brokerages. Faced with the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance, many agents opt for the latter when considering long-term prospects. Negotiating effectively for hourly wages can be advantageous, especially in a market where the demand for insurance services continues to evolve.
More salary data for New Bern, NC:
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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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