Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Washington, DC: $32.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Washington, DC runs $32.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Washington's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.9, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,559 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, the insurance agent hourly pay is positioned at a median rate of $32.50, surpassing the national median of $31.02. This hourly compensation presents an attractive opportunity for part-time professionals and per-diem workers engaging in various settings, including captive agent storefronts, independent agency offices, and commercial brokerage corporate environments. For those working three days a week, the flexibility allows for an appealing lifestyle while still capitalizing on commission-based earnings. Entry-level positions typically start at around $21.16 per hour, while top earners can reach as high as $69.51, making it a potentially lucrative field, particularly for those who establish strong client relationships and specialize in commercial lines.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.16 | $169.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.68 | $189.46 |
| Median (P50) | $32.50 | $259.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.96 | $367.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.51 | $556.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Washington
Based on $32.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.50/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Washington, DC can expect to earn approximately $67,599 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,999. With a cost-of-living index of 108.88 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Washington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Washington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,299.97 | $5,633 | $67,599 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $779.98 | $3,380 | $40,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $519.99 | $2,253 | $27,039 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Washington) | $32.50 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent (National Avg) | $32.36 |
| Personal Financial Advisor (National Avg) | $51.62 |
| Insurance Underwriter (National Avg) | $37.70 |
| Claims Adjuster (National Avg) | $35.30 |
Insurance Agents in Washington, DC earn a median of $67,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.78% higher than the national median of $64,522 and 10.40% below the District of Columbia state average of $75,457.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.50/hr = $40,559/year (purchasing power: $37,250).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,599/year (purchasing power: $62,083).
CoL index: 108.884 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Washington grew 35.5% from $23.15/hr (2019) to $31.37/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.67/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem insurance agents can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Working as an Hourly Insurance Agent in Washington
The income landscape for insurance agents in Washington reveals that a part-time agent working 24 hours a week would report a significantly different annual take-home than their full-time counterparts. On average, per diem insurance agent pay in Washington heavily skews toward commission structures, with the most successful agents receiving lucrative incentives based on their performance. While some insurance professionals opt for salaried positions at established carriers like State Farm or Allstate, major growth is evident in independent agencies and commercial brokerages that provide broader opportunities for higher compensation. Captive agents generally see less hourly pay relative to commission rates, whereas independent agents can earn higher hourly amounts often accompanied by fewer benefits. Agents looking to negotiate higher hourly rates should consider showcasing their credentials, like CPCU or CIC, and emphasize the added value of their specialty in commercial lines, given the growing demand for experienced professionals in the evolving insurance marketplace of Washington, DC.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
Career Resources
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for insurance agents in Washington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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