Insurance Agent Salary in Pendleton, OR: $60,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Pendleton, OR earns a median $60,674/year (≈ $29.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Pendleton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $59,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pendleton, Oregon, the 2026 median annual salary for insurance agents is projected to be $60,674, which falls slightly below the national median of $64,522. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $38,544 at the 10th percentile to as high as $94,045 at the 90th percentile. This pay gradient illustrates the substantial differences that can arise based on factors like the type of lines sold, the size of one's book of business, and whether an agent operates in a captive or independent agency setting. Local salary estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the specific economic context of Pendleton, reflecting the complexities of the insurance market in this area.
About the Pendleton Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,544 | $18.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,674 | $29.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,663 | $37.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,045 | $45.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pendleton
In Pendleton, OR, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,501 (2026 est.). At $60,674, the local median is 5.96% below the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pendleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pendleton Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Pendleton median: $60,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pendleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $63,137 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $64,522 | -5.96% less |
Insurance Agents in Pendleton, OR earn a median of $60,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.96% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $63,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pendleton has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pendleton, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,674 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,136 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,902
2025 BLS Actual
$58,566
2026 Current Est.
$60,674
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Pendleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,902 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,557 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pendleton metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 22.3% from $47,902 (2019) to $58,566 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,957 (31.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pendleton 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) | $38,544 – $46,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,570 – $60,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,674 – $77,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,663 – $94,045 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Pendleton
Examining the insurance agent pay in Pendleton, OR, reveals both challenges and opportunities. With only five insurance agents employed locally, the market can feel competitive, especially as the cost-of-living index stands at 102.6, slightly above the national average. This factor influences take-home purchasing power, as higher living costs can diminish the real value of earnings. Companies vary widely in compensation; captive agents at well-known firms like State Farm and Allstate typically offer stable salaries but might have caps on commission potential. Conversely, independent agencies and large brokerages often pay higher commissions, especially in commercial lines, which can yield 5-10 times the compensation of personal lines. Agents looking to maximize their earnings in Pendleton might focus on growing their commercial business and seek out opportunities in multi-carrier brokerages, which can better leverage residual commissions from renewal policies. Implementing smart strategies in a shifting market landscape will be key for sustainable success in this region.
More salary data for Pendleton, OR:
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 $58,566 for insurance agentsin the Pendleton 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 Pendleton 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