Insurance Agent Salary in South Carolina: $65,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median insurance agent pay sits at $65,955/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 41-3021. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,082 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($80,572), Charleston ($78,890), Columbia ($74,100).
In 2026, the average median salary for insurance agents in South Carolina is projected to be $65,955, surpassing the national median of $64,522 by 2.2%. The job market shows promise with an annual compound growth rate of 3.60%, indicating increasing demand for insurance services across the state. North Charleston leads as the highest paying city for insurance agents at $83,473, while Conway sits at the lower end with $47,743, reflecting a significant salary gap of $35,730. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as regional economic conditions, population density, and demand for various insurance products. In South Carolina, agents must adhere to state licensing requirements that include passing specific examinations and fulfilling continuing education duties. These regulations may impact the number of qualified agents and overall market competition. Additionally, local demand is driven by the state’s growing population and economic activities, which boost the need for various types of insurance coverage. Other notable cities include Charleston at $81,730, Columbia at $76,768, Sumter at $68,759, and Mount Pleasant at $64,869, giving a clear view of the wage landscape for insurance agents throughout the state. Overall, as the insurance industry continues to grow, opportunities for agents in South Carolina appear favorable.
South Carolina Insurance Agent Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $31,162 (lowest entry-level) to $210,204 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina insurance agents earn 2.22% more than the national median (+$1,433/year difference).
South Carolina Insurance Agent Salary Distribution (2026)
Insurance Agent salaries in South Carolina range from $39,275 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $155,114 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,955. The South Carolina median is $1,433 above the US national median of $64,522. The average hourly rate is $31.71/hr. Approximately 5,881 insurance agents are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,691
2025 BLS Actual
$63,663
2026 Current Est.
$65,955
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,691 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,614 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,683 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,655 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,482 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,876 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,663 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,330 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 33.5% from $47,691 (2019) to $63,663 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,330 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,639 (43.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $47,743 |
| Myrtle Beach | $48,640 |
| Greenville | $50,194 |
| Spartanburg | $50,743 |
| Anderson | $51,352 |
Best Value Cities for Insurance Agents in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for insurance agents.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $83,473 | 91.5 | $91,227 |
| Columbia | $76,768 | 93.662 | $81,963 |
| Charleston | $81,730 | 100.962 | $80,951 |
| Sumter | $68,759 | 88.02 | $78,117 |
| Florence | $64,688 | 86.774 | $74,548 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,275 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,955 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $155,114 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $83,473 |
| 2 | Charleston | $81,730 |
| 3 | Columbia | $76,768 |
| 4 | Sumter | $68,759 |
| 5 | Mount Pleasant | $64,869 |
| 6 | Florence | $64,688 |
| 7 | Rock Hill | $63,675 |
| 8 | Aiken | $63,395 |
| 9 | Hanahan | $63,306 |
| 10 | Hilton Head Island | $63,175 |
| 11 | Mauldin | $62,934 |
| 12 | Summerville | $62,596 |
| 13 | Bluffton | $61,975 |
| 14 | Simpsonville | $61,564 |
| 15 | Fort Mill | $61,535 |
| 16 | Goose Creek | $61,391 |
| 17 | Lexington | $60,386 |
| 18 | Easley | $59,310 |
| 19 | Tega Cay | $58,983 |
| 20 | Clemson | $58,872 |
| 21 | Greer | $51,405 |
| 22 | Anderson | $51,352 |
| 23 | Spartanburg | $50,743 |
| 24 | Greenville | $50,194 |
| 25 | Myrtle Beach | $48,640 |
| 26 | Conway | $47,743 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore insurance agent hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced insurance agents.
Explore More Insurance Agent Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do insurance agents make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for insurance agents in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina insurance agent pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level insurance agent salary in South Carolina?
How many insurance agents are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for insurance agents?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.60% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 insurance agent compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more insurance agentscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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