Insurance Agent Salary in Iowa: $64,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median insurance agent pay sits at $64,233/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 41-3021. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,054 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dubuque ($71,840), Iowa City ($71,440), Ames ($63,400).
In Iowa, the average median salary for insurance agents in 2026 is projected to be $64,233, which is slightly below the national median of $64,522, marking a difference of -0.4%. The highest-paying city for this profession is Dubuque, offering an average salary of $74,426, while Fort Dodge has the lowest at $58,998. This salary gap of $15,428 can be attributed to variations in cost of living, local demand for insurance services, and the competitive landscape in different regions. Iowa’s licensing requirements for insurance agents necessitate passing an exam and completing continuing education, which supports a professional standard across the state. The demand for insurance agents is bolstered by population growth in urban areas and an increasing emphasis on risk management among individuals and businesses. With a projected growth rate of 3.60% annually, the job market for insurance agents in Iowa appears to be stable, providing opportunities for those entering the field. Cities such as Iowa City and Ames also show promising salary figures, with averages of $74,012 and $65,682, respectively, pointing towards a healthy outlook for employment prospects in various metropolitan areas across the state. Overall, aspiring insurance agents should prepare for a profession that is accessible and offers varied opportunities based on location within Iowa.
Iowa Insurance Agent Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $21,352 (lowest entry-level) to $168,039 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa insurance agents earn 0.45% less than the national median ($-289/year difference).
Iowa Insurance Agent Salary Distribution (2026)
Insurance Agent salaries in Iowa range from $31,462 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $135,982 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,233. The Iowa median is $289 below the US national median of $64,522. The average hourly rate is $30.88/hr. Approximately 5,196 insurance agents are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,136
2025 BLS Actual
$62,001
2026 Current Est.
$64,233
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,136 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,081 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,564 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 14.5% from $54,136 (2019) to $62,001 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,409 (22.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $58,998 |
| Johnston | $59,656 |
| Davenport | $59,777 |
| Ottumwa | $59,801 |
| Muscatine | $60,028 |
Best Value Cities for Insurance Agents in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for insurance agents.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque | $74,426 | 87.328 | $85,226 |
| Iowa City | $74,012 | 91.509 | $80,879 |
| Ames | $65,682 | 88.83 | $73,941 |
| Sioux City | $63,849 | 86.454 | $73,853 |
| Waterloo | $64,087 | 87.057 | $73,615 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,462 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,233 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $135,982 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubuque | $74,426 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $74,012 |
| 3 | Ames | $65,682 |
| 4 | Cedar Falls | $65,453 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $64,460 |
| 6 | Waterloo | $64,087 |
| 7 | Sioux City | $63,849 |
| 8 | Des Moines | $63,341 |
| 9 | Marion | $63,200 |
| 10 | West Des Moines | $62,523 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $62,463 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $62,071 |
| 13 | Burlington | $61,715 |
| 14 | Waukee | $61,493 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $61,410 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $61,405 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $61,215 |
| 18 | Coralville | $61,134 |
| 19 | Mason City | $60,852 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $60,613 |
| 21 | Clinton | $60,313 |
| 22 | Muscatine | $60,028 |
| 23 | Ottumwa | $59,801 |
| 24 | Davenport | $59,777 |
| 25 | Johnston | $59,656 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $58,998 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Explore More Insurance Agent Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do insurance agents make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for insurance agents in Iowa?
How does Iowa insurance agent pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level insurance agent salary in Iowa?
How many insurance agents are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for insurance agents?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 insurance agent compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more insurance agentscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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