Real Estate Agent Pay

Madison vs Platteville: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Madison, WI and Platteville, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$63,377
$30.47/hr
Platteville, WI
$54,415
$26.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIPlatteville, WI
Median Salary$63,377$54,415
Hourly Rate$30.47$26.16
Entry Level (P10)$40,681$38,109
25th Percentile$47,066$42,330
75th Percentile$78,287$69,651
Top Earner (P90)$121,790$84,343
Total Employed1,1205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($63,377) and Platteville ($54,415) real estate agent salaries.MadisonPlattevilleMedian Salary$63,377$54,415Entry Level (P10)$40,681$38,109Top Earner (P90)$121,790$84,343US Median $53,622

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Platteville.

The salary gap between Madison and Platteville is $8,962 (16.47%). Madison's median is +18.19% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $81,109,Platteville spans $46,234. Madison has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$40,681
P25$47,066
Median$63,377
P75$78,287
P90 (Top)$121,790
Platteville
P10 (Entry)$38,109
P25$42,330
Median$54,415
P75$69,651
P90 (Top)$84,343

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($65,144 effective) pays 11.82% more than Platteville ($58,260 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $63,377
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $65,144
Platteville
Nominal: $54,415
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $58,260

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,377/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,790)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,144)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Platteville if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Madison grew 63.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.9% growth in Platteville over the same period.

Madison, WI

+63.8%

$38,120 (2019) → $62,440 (2025)

Platteville, WI

+5.9%

$50,622 (2024) → $53,611 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Madison or Platteville?

Madison has a higher median real estate agent salary at $63,377/year, compared to Platteville at $54,415/year — a difference of $8,962 (16.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Platteville?

Madison real estate agents earn $30.47/hr while Platteville hygienists earn $26.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Platteville as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Platteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $65,144, Platteville = $58,260), job availability (1,120 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Madison vs Platteville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $40,681 in Madison and $38,109 in Platteville. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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