Real Estate Agent Pay

Madison vs Whitewater: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$63,377
$30.47/hr
Whitewater, WI
$55,252
$26.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIWhitewater, WI
Median Salary$63,377$55,252
Hourly Rate$30.47$26.56
Entry Level (P10)$40,681$35,430
25th Percentile$47,066$41,854
75th Percentile$78,287$70,722
Top Earner (P90)$121,790$85,640
Total Employed1,1204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($63,377) and Whitewater ($55,252) real estate agent salaries.MadisonWhitewaterMedian Salary$63,377$55,252Entry Level (P10)$40,681$35,430Top Earner (P90)$121,790$85,640US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Whitewater is $8,125 (14.71%). 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,Whitewater spans $50,210. 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
Whitewater
P10 (Entry)$35,430
P25$41,854
Median$55,252
P75$70,722
P90 (Top)$85,640

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($65,144 effective) pays 10.12% more than Whitewater ($59,156 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $63,377
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $65,144
Whitewater
Nominal: $55,252
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $59,156

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 Whitewater 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 Whitewater over the same period.

Madison, WI

+63.8%

$38,120 (2019) → $62,440 (2025)

Whitewater, WI

+5.9%

$51,400 (2024) → $54,435 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Madison has a higher median real estate agent salary at $63,377/year, compared to Whitewater at $55,252/year — a difference of $8,125 (14.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Whitewater?

Madison real estate agents earn $30.47/hr while Whitewater hygienists earn $26.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Whitewater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $65,144, Whitewater = $59,156), job availability (1,120 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $40,681 in Madison and $35,430 in Whitewater. 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