Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $38.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Appleton, WI runs $38.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,031 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,019 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected hourly rate of $38.48 in 2026, insurance agents in Appleton, Wisconsin, earn significantly more than the national median of $31.02 per hour. This rate allows for a reasonable income even for part-time employees working three days a week, where they could expect to take home an average of approximately $737 on a 24-hour workweek. In this field, pay varies considerably; entry-level agents might start around $24.65, while experienced agents in the highest percentiles can earn upwards of $88.61 an hour. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights the earning potential in various work environments, including captive agent storefronts, independent agencies, client meetings for commercial inspections, and remote policy setups.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.65 | $197.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.22 | $241.76 |
| Median (P50) | $38.48 | $307.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.82 | $406.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.61 | $708.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $38.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.48/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $80,032 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,172. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,539.08 | $6,669 | $80,032 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $923.45 | $4,002 | $48,019 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $615.63 | $2,668 | $32,013 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Appleton) | $38.48 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $80,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.04% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 0.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $80,111.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.48/hr = $48,019/year (purchasing power: $51,958).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,032/year (purchasing power: $86,597).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Appleton grew 27.5% from $29.13/hr (2019) to $37.14/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.86/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
The earning opportunities for part-time agents in Appleton can lead to differing financial outcomes compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, working a part-time schedule can yield around $38,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time income but still promising, especially since many insurance agents work on a commission basis. While per-diem insurance agent pay in Appleton might differ, it usually does not constitute the predominant compensation structure. The commission framework favors those in traditional roles over the less common 1099 or per-diem work. Agents in captive firms typically earn less hourly compared to those in large brokerages or specialty lines, which often pay higher rates but may lack the benefits of stability offered by full-time roles. As insurance agents navigate their career paths, negotiating hourly rates skillfully can significantly impact their earnings. For instance, agents might choose jobs with lower hourly compensation in exchange for health benefits that add long-term value.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for insurance agents in Appleton 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 Appleton. 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