Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $30.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Des Moines, IA runs $30.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,341 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,012 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, the 2026 median insurance agent hourly pay is projected to be $30.46, which is slightly below the national average of $31.02 per hour. This competitive rate provides a solid foundation for part-time work, such as agents who operate three days a week, allowing them to balance their professional and personal lives while still achieving reasonable earnings. With an hourly range from $13.76 for entry-level positions to up to $64.00 for the highest earners, opportunities abound in various environments such as independent agency offices, commercial brokerage floors, client business meetings, and even virtual settings. These figures reflect official BLS data, highlighting the diverse work possibilities for insurance agents in the region.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.76 | $110.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.74 | $181.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.46 | $243.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.26 | $394.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.00 | $512.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $30.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.46/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $63,353 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,550. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,218.34 | $5,279 | $63,353 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $731.00 | $3,168 | $38,012 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.33 | $2,112 | $25,341 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Des Moines) | $30.46 |
| 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 Des Moines, IA earn a median of $63,341 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.83% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 1.50% below the Iowa state average of $64,306.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.46/hr = $38,012/year (purchasing power: $41,452).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,353/year (purchasing power: $69,087).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Des Moines grew 8.6% from $27.07/hr (2019) to $29.40/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.55/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
The financial dynamics for part-time insurance agents in Des Moines can lead to different earning potentials compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, an agent working 24 hours a week at the median hourly pay potentially brings home $38,046 annually, which can be a substantial income for part-time workers in this field. However, the compensation landscape is primarily commission-based, meaning per diem insurance agent pay in Des Moines is less common; many agents earn commissions on sales instead. Various factors influence hourly rates, particularly when it comes to different employment types, such as captive agents from firms like State Farm or independent agents in multi-carrier setups. While some may opt for lower hourly earnings in exchange for health benefits offered by larger companies, others might prioritize higher rates without benefits, especially those working for commercial brokers, who often see increased compensation in specialty lines. Negotiation strategies based on experience and the type of employer can significantly impact overall earnings in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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
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 Des Moines. 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