Insurance Agent Salary in Onalaska, WI: $84,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Onalaska, WI earns a median $84,306/year (≈ $40.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $90,263 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Insurance agents in Onalaska, Wisconsin can expect a median annual salary of $84,306 in 2026, which reflects a significant 30.66% increase compared to the national figure of $64,522. The salary range for insurance agents in the area spans from $52,053 at the 10th percentile to as much as $130,674 for the top 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earnings potential based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price levels, account for the commission dynamics between personal lines and commercial or specialty lines. As agents navigate these pathways, their earnings will likely be influenced by the local market's unique characteristics.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,053 | $25.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,130 | $32.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,306 | $40.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,911 | $51.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,674 | $62.82 |
Median Salary Position
30.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,621 (2026 est.). At $84,306, the local median is 30.66% above the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $84,306/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $80,138 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $64,522 | +30.66% more |
Insurance Agents in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $84,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.66% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 5.20% above the Wisconsin state average of $80,138.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $84,306 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,263 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,559
2025 BLS Actual
$81,376
2026 Current Est.
$84,306
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,559 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,179 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,122 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,376 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 22.3% from $66,559 (2019) to $81,376 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,782 (31.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $52,053 – $67,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,130 – $84,306 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,306 – $107,911 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,911 – $130,674 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Onalaska
The job market in Onalaska currently comprises only four insurance agents, translating to a compact and potentially competitive environment. Given the area's cost of living index of 93.4, agents may find they can enjoy a higher purchasing power compared to many other regions. Captive agents at established companies like State Farm or Allstate typically receive higher starting pay, but their potential earnings can be limited by the commission structure. In contrast, independent agents or those working for larger commercial brokerages may maximize their commissions significantly, especially when working with commercial lines, which offer renewal commissions that tend to compound. Practical strategies for increasing income in Onalaska involve focusing on building a robust book of business that leans toward higher-commission commercial policies while considering avenues for agency ownership or partnerships for additional revenue streams.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
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 $81,376 for insurance agentsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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