Insurance Agent Hourly Pay in Brookings, SD: $26.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a insurance agent working in Brookings, SD runs $26.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,318 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Weighted against Brookings's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,189 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, South Dakota, insurance agents can expect a median hourly pay of $26.59, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.02. This disparity means that part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, might take home less than their counterparts in other regions. For example, with a typical schedule, part-time agents could earn around $25,000 annually, depending on workload and commissions, making per-diem opportunities potentially more attractive in certain settings. The hourly range for insurance agents in Brookings spans from $17.42 for entry-level roles to approximately $41.22 for top earners, reflecting the commission-based nature of the industry. These figures, derived from projected annual salaries, highlight the varying financial landscapes for insurance agents operating in different agency formats, from captive storefronts to independent offices and commercial brokerages.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Insurance Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.42 | $139.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.77 | $166.17 |
| Median (P50) | $26.59 | $212.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.04 | $272.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.22 | $329.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookings
Based on $26.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.59/hr, a insurance agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookings, SD can expect to earn approximately $55,316 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,913. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,063.76 | $4,610 | $55,316 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $638.26 | $2,766 | $33,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.51 | $1,844 | $22,126 |
Compare Agent Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Insurance Agent (Brookings) | $26.59 |
| 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 Brookings, SD earn a median of $55,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $59,868.
Insurance Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.59/hr = $33,189/year (purchasing power: $35,765).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,316/year (purchasing power: $59,608).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for insurance agents in Brookings grew 22.3% from $21.00/hr (2019) to $25.67/hr (2025). At a 3.60% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.55/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 Brookings 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 Brookings
When considering the earning potential of part-time insurance agents, a three-day work week could translate to about $24,000 annually; this is significantly lower than full-time counterparts who might earn up to $55,318 yearly. While per diem insurance agent pay in Brookings might not be as common, independent consultants can command much higher rates, especially those with specialized credentials. For instance, former risk managers often bill anywhere from $200 to $400 per hour, making the financial landscape distinctly different for those pursuing roles beyond standard agency models. Compensation also varies by employer type; captive agents typically earn lower hourly rates compared to independent agency workers and large commercial brokerages, which tend to offer higher payouts, particularly in specialty lines. Agents in Brookings must weigh the trade-offs—lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance from captive firms against the potential for higher earnings and flexibility offered by independent agencies. For those negotiating hourly pay, understanding the competitive landscape of Brookings can provide leverage, especially when exploring opportunities tailored to their licensing credentials or specific roles within the insurance sector.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
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 Brookings. 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 Brookings 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