Insurance Agent Salary in Iowa City, IA: $74,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Iowa City, IA earns a median $74,012/year (≈ $35.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $80,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.2% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Insurance agents in Iowa City, IA, can expect a robust median annual salary of $74,012 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $64,522, marking an increase of 14.71%. This city offers a salary range that spans from $32,872 at the lower end to $121,564 at the upper echelon. These figures stem from reliable estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting Iowa City's unique insurance market conditions. Long-term compensation in this role often thrives on the compounding nature of renewal commissions, which incentivize agents to cultivate and sustain their book of business, providing a pathway to substantial earnings as they establish lasting client relationships.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,872 | $15.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,682 | $23.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,012 | $35.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,051 | $39.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,564 | $58.44 |
Median Salary Position
14.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,692 (2026 est.). At $74,012, the local median is 14.71% above the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $74,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $64,246 | +15.20% more |
| National Average | $64,522 | +14.71% more |
Insurance Agents in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $74,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.71% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 15.20% above the Iowa state average of $64,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $74,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,879 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,390
2025 BLS Actual
$71,440
2026 Current Est.
$74,012
2019–2027 Growth
+58.5%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,676 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 47.6% from $48,390 (2019) to $71,440 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,676 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,286 (58.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $32,872 – $48,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,682 – $74,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,012 – $82,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,051 – $121,564 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Iowa City
In Iowa City, approximately 190 insurance agents are currently employed, making the local job market relatively stable for this occupation. The cost of living index stands at 91.509, suggesting that agents can enjoy a favorable purchasing power despite their income levels. Employers in the area vary widely, with captive agents typically associated with organizations like State Farm or Allstate often seeing solid entry-level compensation. Independent agencies and large brokerages like Aon or Marsh tend to provide higher earnings potential, particularly for agents who specialize in commercial lines, which commonly offer compensation that is several times higher than personal lines. To maximize earnings potential in this Iowa City market, agents should focus on expanding their book of business and consider moving into commercial lines, where the opportunities for substantial commission growth are more pronounced.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $71,440 for insurance agentsin the Iowa City 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
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