Okay, so Kate has a solid skill set in insurance, but she's not in a high-demand field like tech or finance. Her location in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is also a relatively small market. Let's consider the average salaries for insurance professionals in the US. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for insurance underwriters is around $62,000. However, this number can vary depending on the specific industry and location. Commercial insurance professionals tend to earn higher salaries, upwards of $80,000 per year. Considering Kate's skills and location, I'll estimate her hourly rate to be around $80, which is on the lower end of the scale.