Insurance Agent Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $56,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $56,918/year (≈ $27.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,230 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the projected salary for insurance agents in 2026 stands at an annual median of $56,918. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $64,522, illustrating a regional compensation gap. Salaries in Chattanooga range significantly, from $38,860 at the 10th percentile to as high as $125,553 at the 90th percentile. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The disparity in earnings among agents can often be traced to their specialization; agents focused on commercial lines generally earn higher commissions compared to those dealing primarily in personal lines, reflecting the broader trends in insurance agent pay in Chattanooga TN.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,604 | $23.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,918 | $27.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,553 | $60.37 |
Median Salary Position
11.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,693 (2026 est.). At $56,918, the local median is 11.79% below the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chattanooga Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $56,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,522 | -11.79% less |
Insurance Agents in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $56,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $64,522.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $56,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,230 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,670
2025 BLS Actual
$54,940
2026 Current Est.
$56,918
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 20.3% from $45,670 (2019) to $54,940 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,297 (29.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $38,860 – $49,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,604 – $56,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,918 – $77,990 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,990 – $125,553 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Chattanooga
The local job market for insurance agents in Chattanooga is robust, with approximately 790 professionals employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 91.464, agents can find their purchasing power bolstered compared to many other cities. Employers such as captive agents from State Farm or Allstate may offer competitive starting salaries, while independent agencies and large brokerages like Aon or Marsh could provide greater long-term earning potential due to higher commission structures. Factors influencing the wide pay range include the size of an agent's book of business, the distinction between commercial and personal lines, and whether agents operate within a captive environment versus independent agencies. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, prospective agents should focus on building a diverse portfolio and nurturing client relationships in commercial insurance sectors, positioning themselves for higher renewal commissions and overriding producer compensation.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $54,940 for insurance agentsin the Chattanooga 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