Insurance Sales Agents Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Insurance Sales Agents in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $89,030 a year, or about $42.81 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $166K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $81,829 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 55.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $89K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About insurance sales agents
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level insurance sales agents (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K.Top earners bring in $166K or more - a $122K spread from bottom to top.
Insurance Sales Agents pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $79K | +30% | 9,470 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +29% | 11,080 |
| Massachusetts | $78K | +29% | 10,360 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +28% | 5,520 |
| New York | $76K | +26% | 20,990 |
| District of Columbia | $75K | +25% | 510 |
| Rhode Island | $74K | +23% | 1,860 |
| Wisconsin | $71K | +17% | 7,920 |
| Vermont | $70K | +17% | 670 |
| North Dakota | $66K | +9% | 1,240 |
| California | $65K | +8% | 41,150 |
| Hawaii | $64K | +6% | 960 |
| Iowa | $63K | +5% | 6,160 |
| Alabama | $63K | +4% | 7,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $62K | +3% | 17,600 |
Track insurance sales agents salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do insurance sales agents make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $89,030 a year - that works out to about $42.81 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,610, and experienced insurance sales agents can clear $166,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,550/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a insurance sales agents salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median insurance sales agents salary is worth about $81,829 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do insurance sales agents get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.