Insurance Agent Salary in Portland, OR: $62,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Portland, OR earns a median $62,657/year (≈ $30.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $59,435 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the insurance agent salary in Portland, Oregon, sees a median annual compensation of $62,657, which closely parallels the national median of $64,522, reflecting a slight underperformance of nearly 2.89% in local earnings. The salary range for agents in Portland varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $47,262 and the top 90% making as much as $131,893. These figures, derived from the comprehensive surveys noted in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, demonstrate the varied income potential within the region. A closer look at the commission distributions suggests that agents focusing on commercial and specialty lines can expect heightened earning capacity relative to those primarily selling personal lines, aligning with broader trends in the insurance sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,262 | $22.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,355 | $24.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,657 | $30.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,742 | $45.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,893 | $63.41 |
Median Salary Position
2.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,631 (2026 est.). At $62,657, the local median is 2.89% below the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Portland Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Portland median: $62,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $63,163 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,522 | -2.89% less |
Insurance Agents in Portland, OR earn a median of $62,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.89% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 0.80% below the Oregon state average of $63,163.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,657 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,435 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,710
2025 BLS Actual
$60,480
2026 Current Est.
$62,657
2019–2027 Growth
+1.9%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,913 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew -5.1% from $63,710 (2019) to $60,480 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,913 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,203 (1.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $47,262 – $51,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,355 – $62,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,657 – $94,742 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,742 – $131,893 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Portland
Portland's job market for insurance agents is robust, employing around 3,690 professionals across various sectors. However, the cost of living index stands at 105.421, indicating that while salaries might appear competitive, agents must account for higher living expenses that impact their purchasing power. Among employers, large brokerages such as Aon and Marsh tend to offer the highest salaries, especially for those handling commercial accounts, which provide significantly larger commission structures compared to personal line policies. The income disparity often relates to the complexity and scale of the book of business managed, with agents specializing in renewal commissions from commercial clients typically seeing 5-10 times the commissions earned on personal lines. For those looking to maximize their insurance agent pay in Portland, pursuing additional credentials like CPCU and targeting roles within independent agencies or large commercial brokerages may yield better financial outcomes. Overall, the local market presents solid opportunities for savvy agents who strategically navigate their careers.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $60,480 for insurance agentsin the Portland 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