Insurance Agent Salary in Rochester, NY: $81,999 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Rochester, NY earns a median $81,999/year (≈ $39.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $84,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.4% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected insurance agent salary in Rochester, NY, stands at $81,999 annually, showcasing a notable 27.09% premium above the national median of $64,522. The earnings spectrum for agents is broad, ranging from $44,082 at the lower end to an impressive $174,152 for those at the top decile, reflecting varying commission structures influenced by the nature of the business. This salary data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the lucrative opportunities within personal and commercial lines, where agents engaging in the latter can expect to earn much higher compensations due to the significantly greater commissions associated with commercial policies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,082 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,227 | $31.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,999 | $39.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,853 | $51.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,152 | $83.73 |
Median Salary Position
27.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,070 (2026 est.). At $81,999, the local median is 27.09% above the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Rochester median: $81,999/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $66,450 | +23.40% more |
| National Average | $64,522 | +27.09% more |
Insurance Agents in Rochester, NY earn a median of $81,999 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.09% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 23.40% above the New York state average of $66,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $81,999 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,505 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,020
2025 BLS Actual
$79,150
2026 Current Est.
$81,999
2019–2027 Growth
+88.7%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,999 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,951 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 75.8% from $45,020 (2019) to $79,150 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,951 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,931 (88.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $44,082 – $65,227 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,227 – $81,999 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,999 – $106,853 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,853 – $174,152 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Rochester
On the ground, Rochester’s job market currently employs approximately 930 insurance agents, which speaks volumes about the opportunities available in this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 97.035, agents’ take-home pay offers a favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Different employers shape the pay landscape significantly; captive agents working for carriers like State Farm or Allstate typically receive structured compensation but may face caps on their earnings. Independent agencies and large brokerages like Aon and Marsh often pay more, especially for those specializing in commercial versus personal lines, as the former can yield commissions five to ten times higher per policy. Building a substantial book of business, especially in commercial lines, along with pursuing professional credentials such as CPCU can be effective strategies for agents looking to maximize their pay in Rochester's competitive insurance landscape.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $79,150 for insurance agentsin the Rochester 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