Insurance Agent Salary

Insurance Agent Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $60,493 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time insurance agent in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $60,493/year (≈ $29.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-3021). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $62,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.

$60,493
Median Annual Salary
$29.08/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,307
Entry Level (P10)
$93,764
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Insurance Agent Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Wilkes-Barre, PA insurance agent salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For those considering a career as an insurance agent in Wilkes-Barre, PA, the projected median annual compensation reaches $60,493 in 2026. This figure, sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlights a salary range from $36,307 at the 10th percentile to $93,764 at the 90th percentile. The local insurance agent pay reflects the dynamics of the market—where building a robust book of business can significantly enhance earnings through renewal commissions over time. In comparison to the national median of $64,522, Wilkes-Barre's insurance professionals earn approximately 6.24% less, yet the local job market is poised for growth, making the area an appealing option for career-minded individuals.

About the Wilkes-Barre Market

Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,307$17.46
Lower Range (P25)$45,159$21.71
Median (P50)(typical)$60,493$29.08
Upper Range (P75)$77,431$37.22
Top Earners (P90)$93,764$45.08

Median Salary Position

$36,307$93,764
City Median: $60,493
National: $64,522
P10–P90 Range

6.24% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for insurance agents in Wilkes-Barre. The median salary is $60,493, compared to the national median of $64,522.$32.7K$49.1K$65.6K$82.0K$98.5K$36.3K10th Pctl$45.2K25th Pctl$60.5KMedian$77.4K75th Pctl$93.8K90th PctlUS Median$64.5K

In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the insurance agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,457 (2026 est.). At $60,493, the local median is 6.24% below the national median of $64,522.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of insurance agent pay in the Wilkes-Barre metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,163
per week
$5,041
per month
$60,487
per year

At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Wilkes-Barre Insurance Agent Pay Compares

Wilkes-Barre median: $60,493/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWilkes-Barre Pays
Pennsylvania Average$61,477-1.60% less
National Average$64,522-6.24% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing insurance agent median salary in Wilkes-Barre ($60,493) with Pennsylvania average ($61,477) and the US national median ($64,522).Wilkes-Barre$60,493Pennsylvania Avg$61,477-1.60%US National$64,522-6.24%

Insurance Agents in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $60,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.24% lower than the national median of $64,522 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $61,477.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,493
Nominal Salary
97.4
CoL Index
$62,108
Adjusted Salary

Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $60,493. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $62,108, a gain of $1,615.$51.4K$57.1K$62.8K$68.5K$74.2K$60,493NominalSalary$62,108CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.4) 2.67%US Median $64.5K

Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A insurance agent earning $60,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$47,759

2025 BLS Actual

$58,391

2026 Current Est.

$60,493

2019–2027 Growth

+31.2%

Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in Wilkes-Barre (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for insurance agents in Wilkes-Barre. Baseline $47,759 in 2025, projected to $62,671 by 2027.$43.5K$49.1K$54.7K$60.3K$65.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$47.8K$48.9K$46.7K$54.2K$55.4K$59.4K$58.4K$60.5K$62.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$47,759Actual
2020$48,922Actual
2021$46,728Actual
2022$54,247Actual
2023$55,391Actual
2024$59,427Actual
2025$58,391Actual
2026(current)$60,493Estimated
2027$62,671Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 22.3% from $47,759 (2019) to $58,391 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,912 (31.22%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$36,307$45,159
3-5 years (Mid Career)$45,159$60,493
5+ years (Experienced)$60,493$77,431
10+ years (Top Earner)$77,431$93,764

Agent salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual insurance agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Insurance Agent Job Market in Wilkes-Barre

The employment landscape for insurance agents in Wilkes-Barre consists of just 11 professionals, which points to a niche market ripe for development. With a cost-of-living index at 97.4, agents in the region experience a favorable purchasing power, allowing for a more comfortable living compared to other areas. Captive agents, such as those working for State Farm and Allstate, may find stable pay and benefits, but the independent agencies and larger brokerages like Aon and Marsh often offer higher salary potential, especially in commercial lines, which can yield up to five to ten times the commission of personal lines. To maximize insurance agent salaries in Wilkes-Barre, strategic growth of client relationships, diversification into commercial insurance, and considering agency ownership or partnership opportunities are advisable pathways for ambitious agents aiming to enhance their financial outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do insurance agents make in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median insurance agent salary in Wilkes-Barre is $60,493/year ($29.08/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.60% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,307 at entry level (10th percentile) to $93,764 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Wilkes-Barre at 6.2% below the national median. Full-time insurance agents typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to work as a insurance agent?

Wilkes-Barre insurance agent salaries are 6.2% below the national average and 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average. The metro area employs approximately 11 insurance agents. With a cost-of-living index of 97.4, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can insurance agents make $100K in Wilkes-Barre?

The median insurance agent salary in Wilkes-Barre is $60,493, and the 90th percentile earns $93,764. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted insurance agent salary in Wilkes-Barre?

After adjusting for Wilkes-Barre's cost-of-living index of 97.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,493 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $62,108 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 2.7% further in Wilkes-Barre compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for insurance agents seeking strong real wages.

How much does a insurance agent make per hour in Wilkes-Barre?

Insurance Agents in Wilkes-Barre earn a median hourly rate of $29.08, which translates to approximately $60,493/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.46 for entry-level positions to $45.08 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem insurance agents sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, CICData verified by Raj Patel, LUTCF

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 $58,391 for insurance agentsin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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