Insurance Agent Salary in Butte, MT: $60,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Butte, MT earns a median $60,321/year (≈ $29.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $62,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, insurance agents earn a median annual salary of $60,321, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $64,522. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $35,200 at the low end (P10) to $93,498 at the high end (P90). Figures presented here are projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations, indicating that Butte's insurance agent market is influenced by the balance of captive agents, independent agencies, and commercial brokerages. Captive agents, like those at State Farm or Allstate, tend to offer stable pay but can have capped upside potential, whereas independent agents and commercial brokerages may provide greater flexibility and higher income potential through commissions on commercial lines.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,200 | $16.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,437 | $22.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,321 | $29.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,211 | $37.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,498 | $44.95 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,298 (2026 est.). At $60,321, the local median is 6.51% below the national median of $64,522.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Insurance Agent Pay Compares
Butte median: $60,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $62,059 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $64,522 | -6.51% less |
Insurance Agents in Butte, MT earn a median of $60,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $62,059.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $60,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,704 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,623
2025 BLS Actual
$58,225
2026 Current Est.
$60,321
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,623 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,783 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,615 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,493 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 22.3% from $47,623 (2019) to $58,225 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,493 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,870 (31.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $35,200 – $46,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,437 – $60,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,321 – $77,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,211 – $93,498 |
Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Insurance Agent Job Market in Butte
Despite the lower representative figures, Butte's job market for insurance agents is stable, with seven professionals currently employed in this sector. The cost-of-living index at 96.2 suggests a more affordable environment for those earning in this field, allowing for favorable purchasing power within the region. Leading employers such as independent agencies and commercial brokerage firms often offer the most competitive pay, particularly for agents who excel in generating a substantial book of business. This discrepancy in compensation is primarily driven by factors such as policy type—commercial lines can yield significantly higher commissions than personal lines. For those looking to maximize their income, forming extensive client relationships while pursuing specialization in commercial insurance can be a strategic approach in Butte’s market. The combination of agency ownership opportunities and potential override commissions at larger brokerages also presents pathways for increased earnings for ambitious agents in the area.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
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 $58,225 for insurance agentsin the Butte 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 Butte 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