Insurance Agent Salary in Salem, NH: $67,561 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Salem, NH earns a median $67,561/year (≈ $32.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $62,965 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, New Hampshire, insurance agents can expect to earn a median annual salary of $67,561 in 2026, reflecting a robust local job market amidst the state's evolving insurance landscape. This figure is a notable 4.71% higher than the national median of $64,522, which shows the emerging opportunities available to agents here. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, from $39,818 at the lower end to $104,719 for top earners, indicating that the compensation spectrum is influenced by factors such as agents' clientele, market specialization, and whether they operate as captive agents with major carriers like State Farm or Allstate, independent brokers, or larger commercial brokerages. As the industry continues to adapt, Salem's insurance job market holds potential for both entry-level agents and experienced professionals seeking greater rewards.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,818 | $19.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,751 | $23.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,561 | $32.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,478 | $41.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,719 | $50.35 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,901 (2026 est.). At $67,561, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Salem median: $67,561/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $69,222 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $64,522 | +4.71% more |
Insurance Agents in Salem, NH earn a median of $67,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $69,222.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,561 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,965 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,339
2025 BLS Actual
$65,213
2026 Current Est.
$67,561
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,339 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,637 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,187 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,862 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,561 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 22.3% from $53,339 (2019) to $65,213 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,654 (31.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $39,818 – $49,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,751 – $67,561 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,561 – $86,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,478 – $104,719 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Salem
Despite having only eight insurance agents currently employed in the Salem area, the market is promising, especially considering the local cost-of-living index stands at 107.3, making compensation crucial for maintaining purchasing power in this slightly higher-cost region. Agents affiliated with captive insurance companies often enjoy solid starting salaries due to the backing of national brands that provide training and resources, but they may face limitations on income growth as compared to independent agents who can cultivate larger books of business and benefit from renewal commissions. Those working with commercial lines generally see higher payment structures compared to personal lines, with commissions significantly increasing based on policy types and terms. To maximize earning potential in Salem, insurance agents might focus on specializing in commercial products, growing their networks, obtaining advanced credentials such as the CPCU or CIC, and seeking opportunities within high-paying brokerage firms that emphasize performance-based compensation.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
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 $65,213 for insurance agentsin the Salem 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 Salem 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