Insurance Agent Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $62,071 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $62,071/year (≈ $29.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $68,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for insurance agents in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 2026 is $62,071, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape influenced by the local market and renewal commissions. Earnings for insurance agents in the area can vary significantly, with a salary range running from $37,225 at the 10th percentile to $96,210 at the 90th percentile. This range illustrates the potential for robust earnings, particularly as established agents develop a book of business that contributes to their income through renewal commissions over time. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments, emphasizing the unique economic dynamics of Council Bluffs, where growth in the insurance field is projected at an annual rate of 3.60%.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,225 | $17.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,453 | $22.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,071 | $29.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,451 | $38.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,210 | $46.26 |
Median Salary Position
3.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,985 (2026 est.). At $62,071, the local median is 3.8% below the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $62,071/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $64,256 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,522 | -3.80% less |
Insurance Agents in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $62,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $64,256.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $62,071 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,005
2025 BLS Actual
$59,914
2026 Current Est.
$62,071
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,198 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,947 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,071 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 22.3% from $49,005 (2019) to $59,914 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,300 (31.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,225 – $46,453 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,453 – $62,071 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,071 – $79,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,451 – $96,210 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Council Bluffs
With only 12 insurance agents currently employed in Council Bluffs, the local job market offers unique opportunities for those entering the field. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, which suggests that agents may enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Among local employers, captive carriers like State Farm and Allstate are known for competitive pay for entry-level positions, while independent agencies and large commercial brokerages may yield higher average earnings due to their more expansive client bases and higher commission structures on commercial lines. Factors impacting earnings variations include the size of the agent's book of business, whether they focus on commercial versus personal lines, and whether they work as captive or independent agents. For aspiring insurance professionals in Council Bluffs, maximizing earnings may involve targeting the commercial line market, gaining relevant certifications such as CPCU, and considering agency ownership opportunities to leverage profitability.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do insurance agents make in Council Bluffs, IA in 2026?
Is Council Bluffs, IA a good place to work as a insurance agent?
Can insurance agents make $100K in Council Bluffs?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted insurance agent salary in Council Bluffs?
How much does a insurance agent make per hour in Council Bluffs?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,914 for insurance agentsin the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. A 3.60% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs 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