Insurance Agent Salary in Ithaca, NY: $61,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Ithaca, NY earns a median $61,994/year (≈ $29.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $60,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the insurance agent salary in Ithaca, NY, stands at a median of $61,994, reflecting a competitive landscape within the industry. With salaries ranging from $42,455 at the lower end to $150,210 for the top earners, this data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates significant disparities in pay that can largely be attributed to the structural divide between captive agents working for providers like State Farm and Allstate, independent agents operating through multi-carrier agencies, and those employed by larger commercial brokerages. Captive agents typically offer a more stable income through guaranteed commissions, but they might face caps on their earning potential, while independent agents and commercial brokers tend to see higher earnings, especially when handling complex, commercial lines. The job market in Ithaca reflects these dynamics, offering an array of opportunities across diverse employer types.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,455 | $20.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,955 | $24.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,994 | $29.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,957 | $41.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,210 | $72.22 |
Median Salary Position
3.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,755 (2026 est.). At $61,994, the local median is 3.92% below the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ithaca Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $61,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $66,446 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $64,522 | -3.92% less |
Insurance Agents in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $61,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 6.70% below the New York state average of $66,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,994 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,004 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,690
2025 BLS Actual
$59,840
2026 Current Est.
$61,994
2019–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 40.2% from $42,690 (2019) to $59,840 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,536 (50.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $42,455 – $51,955 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,955 – $61,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,994 – $85,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,957 – $150,210 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Ithaca
In Ithaca, around 50 insurance agents contribute to the local job market, providing essential services with varied pay scales. The cost of living index at 103.317 indicates that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for agents. Employers that tend to offer the highest salaries include large commercial brokerages like Aon and Marsh, followed closely by independent agencies with a robust book of business. The earning potential in this market is influenced by factors such as the size of the agent’s portfolio, the scale of their new client acquisitions, and the mix of business lines they handle—commercial accounts significantly outpace personal lines in commission potential. To optimize earnings, agents should consider expanding into commercial lines, building their client relationships, and seeking positions with larger brokerage firms that provide effective support structures and better access to lucrative market segments.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
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 $59,840 for insurance agentsin the Ithaca 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