Real Estate Agent Pay

Detroit vs Pontiac: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Detroit, MI and Pontiac, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$57,946
$27.86/hr
Pontiac, MI
$56,597
$27.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIPontiac, MI
Median Salary$57,946$56,597
Hourly Rate$27.86$27.21
Entry Level (P10)$33,231$35,564
25th Percentile$41,168$42,653
75th Percentile$80,388$72,445
Top Earner (P90)$108,006$87,726
Total Employed93012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($57,946) and Pontiac ($56,597) real estate agent salaries.DetroitPontiacMedian Salary$57,946$56,597Entry Level (P10)$33,231$35,564Top Earner (P90)$108,006$87,726US Median $53,622

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pontiac.

The salary gap between Detroit and Pontiac is $1,349 (2.38%). Detroit's median is +8.06% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $74,775,Pontiac spans $52,162. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$33,231
P25$41,168
Median$57,946
P75$80,388
P90 (Top)$108,006
Pontiac
P10 (Entry)$35,564
P25$42,653
Median$56,597
P75$72,445
P90 (Top)$87,726

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pontiac ($60,726 effective) pays 5.11% more than Detroit ($57,774 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $57,946
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $57,774
Pontiac
Nominal: $56,597
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $60,726

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,946/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,006)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Pontiac if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,726)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Detroit grew 2.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.8% growth in Pontiac over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+2.1%

$55,930 (2019) → $57,090 (2025)

Pontiac, MI

+6.8%

$52,199 (2024) → $55,761 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Detroit or Pontiac?

Detroit has a higher median real estate agent salary at $57,946/year, compared to Pontiac at $56,597/year — a difference of $1,349 (2.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Pontiac?

Detroit real estate agents earn $27.86/hr while Pontiac hygienists earn $27.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Pontiac as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Pontiac. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $57,774, Pontiac = $60,726), job availability (930 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Detroit vs Pontiac?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $33,231 in Detroit and $35,564 in Pontiac. The Pontiac area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience as a real estate agent. She specializes in residential properties. She works with a large brokerage in Texas.

Clinically reviewed by David Chen, REALTOR®Data verified by Fatima Ali, REALTOR®

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov