Find a Job You Really Want In
As you embark on your career as an insurance agent, understanding the best locations for career growth is crucial. Regional differences can significantly impact your salary and job opportunities in this essential profession. In 2026, the landscape for insurance agents has evolved, incorporating new technologies, hybrid work environments, and shifting demands in the labor market.
To assist you in making an informed decision, we at Zippia analyzed the current job market to identify cities where insurance agents can thrive. This list highlights areas across the U.S. where insurance agents enjoy competitive salaries, a favorable cost of living, and ample job opportunities.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled a list of the best cities for insurance agents. Here are the top cities:
- Rapid City, SD
- Tampa, FL
- Appleton, WI
- Kansas City, MO
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Columbia, MO
- Columbus, OH
- Minneapolis, MN
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Montgomery County, PA
In summary, Rapid City stands out as the premier city for pursuing a career as an insurance agent.
Conversely, if you are considering where to avoid as an insurance agent, Cumberland ranks as the least favorable location.
Continue reading to discover the methodology behind our research on the best cities for insurance agents and more details about the top ten locations.
Methodology for Identifying the Best Cities for Insurance Agents
At Zippia, we engage with professionals from diverse backgrounds seeking employment. Our research indicates that two primary factors drive job seekers:
- Job availability
- Compensation
To determine the best cities for insurance agents in America, we analyzed where jobs are most plentiful and how competitive the salaries are. The following criteria were used, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:
- Location quotient: a measure of the prevalence of the occupation in a specific city.
- Average annual salary.
- Average annual salary for entry-level positions.
To maintain consistency, we adjusted salary figures relative to each state’s cost of living, resulting in a comprehensive dataset for 373 metropolitan areas nationwide. For analysis, we simplified city names, such as referring to “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” simply as Boston.
Each city was ranked on all criteria from 1 to 373, with the lowest average score denoting the best city for insurance agents in America.
Now, let’s explore what makes each of these cities ideal for insurance agents.
1. Rapid City, SD
Total Jobs: 310
Average Annual Salary: $70,780
Average Entry Level Salary: $33,310
Location Quotient: 1.69
2. Tampa, FL
Total Jobs: 6,560
Average Annual Salary: $78,560
Average Entry Level Salary: $34,050
Location Quotient: 1.93
3. Appleton, WI
Total Jobs: 380
Average Annual Salary: $112,490
Average Entry Level Salary: $40,090
Location Quotient: 1.12
4. Kansas City, MO
Total Jobs: 3,650
Average Annual Salary: $68,080
Average Entry Level Salary: $30,840
Location Quotient: 1.27
5. Sioux Falls, SD
Total Jobs: 800
Average Annual Salary: $58,830
Average Entry Level Salary: $32,290
Location Quotient: 1.95
6. Columbia, MO
Total Jobs: 510
Average Annual Salary: $63,800
Average Entry Level Salary: $28,790
Location Quotient: 2.03
7. Columbus, OH
Total Jobs: 3,000
Average Annual Salary: $68,130
Average Entry Level Salary: $32,570
Location Quotient: 1.07
8. Minneapolis, MN
Total Jobs: 4,890
Average Annual Salary: $103,340
Average Entry Level Salary: $38,900
Location Quotient: 0.93
9. Grand Rapids, MI
Total Jobs: 1,950
Average Annual Salary: $63,410
Average Entry Level Salary: $33,730
Location Quotient: 1.33
10. Montgomery County, PA
Total Jobs: 4,340
Average Annual Salary: $89,590
Average Entry Level Salary: $28,230
Location Quotient: 1.53
Conclusion: Top Cities for Insurance Agents
For those starting their careers as insurance agents, these cities should be at the forefront of your job search. They provide competitive salaries, plentiful job opportunities, and a pathway for career advancement.
If you’re curious about less favorable locations for insurance agents, consider the following:
Detailed List of the Best Cities for Insurance Agents
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City, SD | $70,780 |
| 2 | Tampa, FL | $78,560 |
| 3 | Appleton, WI | $112,490 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $68,080 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $58,830 |
| 6 | Columbia, MO | $63,800 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $68,130 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $103,340 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids, MI | $63,410 |
| 10 | Montgomery County, PA | $89,590 |
| 11 | Bloomington, IL | $69,430 |
| 12 | Miami, FL | $80,010 |
| 13 | Trenton, NJ | $81,370 |
| 14 | Jacksonville, FL | $76,860 |
| 15 | Nassau County, NY | $83,240 |
| 16 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $63,470 |
| 17 | Kokomo, IN | $57,300 |
| 18 | San Rafael, CA | $83,430 |
| 19 | Birmingham, AL | $59,610 |
| 20 | Cleveland, OH | $62,850 |
| 21 | Terre Haute, IN | $71,440 |
| 22 | Tallahassee, FL | $67,050 |
| 23 | Milwaukee, WI | $94,110 |
| 24 | Fargo, ND | $73,460 |
| 25 | Ocala, FL | $63,750 |
| 26 | Philadelphia, PA | $77,910 |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $59,680 |
| 28 | Oakland, CA | $104,900 |
| 29 | Lubbock, TX | $83,520 |
| 30 | Youngstown, OH | $66,540 |
| 31 | Florence, AL | $57,300 |
| 32 | Greensboro, NC | $83,940 |
| 33 | Sebastian, FL | $59,180 |
| 34 | Orlando, FL | $65,670 |
| 35 | Newark, NJ | $77,720 |
| 36 | Hartford, CT | $67,080 |
| 37 | Warren, MI | $67,950 |
| 38 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | $65,480 |
| 39 | Framingham, MA | $86,820 |
| 40 | Grand Island, NE | $58,270 |
| 41 | Canton, OH | $69,020 |
| 42 | Charleston, WV | $73,710 |
| 43 | Little Rock, AR | $84,420 |
| 44 | Missoula, MT | $68,350 |
| 45 | Portland, OR | $67,030 |
| 46 | Mobile, AL | $62,270 |
| 47 | Springfield, MA | $85,540 |
| 48 | North Port, FL | $61,240 |
| 49 | Madison, WI | $72,780 |
| 50 | Portsmouth, NH | $67,780 |
| 51 | Boise City, ID | $82,260 |
| 52 | West Palm Beach, FL | $54,790 |
| 53 | Lincoln, NE | $67,790 |
| 54 | Green Bay, WI | $55,080 |
| 55 | Rochester, MN | $88,810 |
| 56 | Albany, NY | $109,110 |
| 57 | Atlanta, GA | $73,640 |
| 58 | Dallas, TX | $61,470 |
| 59 | Topeka, KS | $51,980 |
| 60 | Lawrence, KS | $74,040 |
| 61 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,200 |
| 62 | Lewiston, ID | $62,220 |
| 63 | Fairbanks, AK | $59,330 |
| 64 | Wausau, WI | $88,390 |
| 65 | Baton Rouge, LA | $53,610 |
| 66 | San Antonio, TX | $48,920 |
| 67 | New Bedford, MA | $90,070 |
| 68 | Fond du Lac, WI | $87,030 |
| 69 | Allentown, PA | $74,690 |
| 70 | Anniston, AL | $60,750 |
| 71 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $85,420 |
| 72 | Redding, CA | $74,850 |
| 73 | Detroit, MI | $67,930 |
| 74 | San Francisco, CA | $89,420 |
| 75 | Austin, TX | $65,040 |
| 76 | Charlotte, NC | $64,090 |
| 77 | New Orleans, LA | $59,070 |
| 78 | Jackson, MI | $71,200 |
| 79 | Pensacola, FL | $60,850 |
| 80 | Lakeland, FL | $49,980 |
| 81 | Anaheim, CA | $74,830 |
| 82 | Fort Worth, TX | $71,570 |
| 83 | Auburn, AL | $83,340 |
| 84 | Jackson, MS | $60,780 |
| 85 | Toledo, OH | $76,560 |
| 86 | Amarillo, TX | $58,250 |
| 87 | Cape Coral, FL | $52,870 |
| 88 | Dayton, OH | $99,770 |
| 89 | Memphis, TN | $66,990 |
| 90 | Providence, RI | $69,360 |
| 91 | Fort Wayne, IN | $56,900 |
| 92 | Dothan, AL | $61,450 |
| 93 | Des Moines, IA | $52,810 |
| 94 | Naples, FL | $59,360 |
| 95 | Seattle, WA | $70,040 |
| 96 | Springfield, OH | $66,930 |
| 97 | Grants Pass, OR | $44,460 |
| 98 | Michigan City, IN | $68,680 |
| 99 | Jackson, TN | $57,070 |
| 100 | Salinas, CA | $90,220 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
