Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $29.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $29.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,071 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,236 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, the projected median hourly pay for insurance agents in 2026 stands at $29.84, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This rate allows part-time workers, such as those dedicating three days a week, to earn a substantial income while balancing other commitments. Per-diem roles in insurance are less common, with most workers typically compensated through commissions. Hourly pay can vary widely, ranging from $17.89 for entry-level positions to as high as $46.26 for the most seasoned professionals. This reflects not only the varying levels of experience but also the diverse types of working environments, including captive agent offices, independent agencies, and commercial brokerage firms throughout Council Bluffs.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.89 | $143.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.34 | $178.69 |
| Median (P50) | $29.84 | $238.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.20 | $305.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.26 | $370.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $29.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.84/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $62,061 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,804. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,193.47 | $5,172 | $62,061 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $716.08 | $3,103 | $37,236 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.39 | $2,069 | $24,824 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Council Bluffs) | $29.84 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $62,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $64,256.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.84/hr = $37,236/year (purchasing power: $41,191).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,061/year (purchasing power: $68,651).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Council Bluffs grew 22.3% from $23.56/hr (2019) to $28.80/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.91/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
The earning potential for part-time insurance agents highlights the flexibility within the profession. A part-time employee working 24 hours a week at the hourly rate can still achieve a respectable income, though it falls short of what full-time agents earn. Agents working on a per-diem basis or in flexible roles often face challenges, as consistent income from such work is rare and many rely heavily on commissions. Certain roles, particularly consultants and expert witnesses, can command much higher fees ranging from $200 to $600 per hour, reflecting extensive expertise gained through credentials like the CPCU. Pay rates for insurance agents can differ significantly depending on the employer type—captive agencies may offer lower hourly wages but include benefits, while independent agencies tend to pay more per hour with less stability. Given these differences, agents in Council Bluffs may need to negotiate effectively, considering both hourly pay and the potential for benefits when assessing job offers.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Council Bluffs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs 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