Insurance Sales Agent salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Insurance Sales Agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $61,140 a year ($29.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,510 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $62,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,140. There are 7.3 insurance sales agents per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for insurance sales agents in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,620 | $13.28 |
| 25th percentile | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Median | $61,140 | $29.40 |
| 75th percentile | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,510 | $61.78 |
| Average (mean) | $77,590 | $37.30 |
Half of insurance sales agents earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,095 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,547.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,351.54 |
| Weekly | $1,175.77 |
| Hourly | $29.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Insurance Sales Agent salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $71,840 | 280 |
| Iowa City, IA | $71,440 | 190 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,520 | 2,770 |
| Ames, IA | $63,400 | 160 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,220 | 610 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,860 | 230 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,630 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,700 | 450 |
Highest-paying states for insurance sales agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,530 |
| New Jersey | $81,640 |
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Wisconsin | $79,450 |
| Massachusetts | $79,300 |
| Minnesota | $78,640 |
| New York | $78,110 |
| California | $76,120 |
| Connecticut | $74,840 |
| New Hampshire | $74,370 |
See Insurance Sales Agent pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $65,510 | $31.50 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $65,670 | $31.57 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $62,510 | $30.06 |
| Travel Agent | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| Cashier | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $67,040 | $32.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $126,830 | $60.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $98,590 | $47.40 |
| Parts Salesperson | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| Telemarketer | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $36,160 | $17.39 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-3021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a insurance sales agent make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for insurance sales agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,140 a year, or $29.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid insurance sales agents make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of insurance sales agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $128,510 a year. The top 25% earn $98,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for insurance sales agents in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,620 a year, and a quarter of insurance sales agents earn $45,650 or less.
How many insurance sales agents work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 2,940 insurance sales agents are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.