Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $27.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Chattanooga, TN runs $27.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,918 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,146 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the insurance agent hourly pay is projected to be $27.36 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $31.02 per hour. This lower rate reflects the local market dynamics and may affect the appeal of part-time positions or per-diem work often found in different settings, including independent agency offices and client business visits. For someone working three days a week, averaging 24 hours, the potential earnings can vary widely, especially given the hourly range from $18.68 for entry-level positions to $60.37 for top earners. Additionally, insurance agents may find opportunities in various working environments such as commercial brokerage floors and remote policy quoting, impacting their overall earning experiences.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.68 | $149.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.85 | $190.79 |
| Median (P50) | $27.36 | $218.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.49 | $299.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.37 | $482.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $27.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.36/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $56,910 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,833. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,094.43 | $4,743 | $56,910 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.66 | $2,846 | $34,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.77 | $1,897 | $22,764 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Chattanooga) | $27.36 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $56,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $64,522.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.36/hr = $34,146/year (purchasing power: $37,333).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,910/year (purchasing power: $62,222).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Chattanooga grew 20.3% from $21.96/hr (2019) to $26.41/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.35/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Shifting focus to part-time earning potential, a Chattanooga insurance agent working a 24-hour week can expect to bring home around $34,278 annually, a significant difference compared to full-time counterparts. While per-diem and 1099 opportunities are limited in this field, many agents rely on commission-based compensation, which can lead to substantial earnings. For instance, consulting risk managers, often CPCU-credentialed, might command hourly fees between $200 and $400, while those working as expert witnesses in coverage disputes can earn $300 to $600 per hour. The hourly rates can differ dramatically depending on the type of employer, with captive agents tied to single carriers like State Farm potentially earning less than those at large brokerage firms like Aon or Marsh. Many professionals weigh the trade-offs of accepting a lower hourly wage with benefits against higher pay without them, which adds a layer of complexity to negotiations in the Chattanooga insurance market. Understanding local trends in compensation and the specific demands of the role is crucial for any insurance agent considering their options.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for insurance agents in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga. 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