Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Tuscaloosa, AL: $30.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Tuscaloosa, AL runs $30.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,697 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Tuscaloosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,622 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tuscaloosa, the real estate agent hourly pay stands at a median of $30.15, which is significantly above the national hourly median of $25.78. This advantageous pay scale positions local agents well, especially for those seeking part-time opportunities such as working three days a week or pursuing per-diem roles. Agents typically engage in a variety of tasks that can include showing properties, conducting listing presentations, and working remotely. The hourly wage varies significantly, with entry-level agents earning as little as $17.28 while seasoned professionals may command up to $52.41, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the market. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, allowing potential agents to grasp the financial landscape of real estate work in Tuscaloosa.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.28 | $138.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.12 | $176.93 |
| Median (P50) | $30.15 | $241.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.13 | $337.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.41 | $419.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tuscaloosa
Based on $30.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.15/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tuscaloosa, AL can expect to earn approximately $62,703 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,175. With a cost-of-living index of 87.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tuscaloosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tuscaloosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.82 | $5,225 | $62,703 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.49 | $3,135 | $37,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.33 | $2,090 | $25,081 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Tuscaloosa) | $30.15 |
| Real Estate Broker (National Avg) | $42.96 |
| Insurance Sales Agent (National Avg) | $29.02 |
| Property / Real Estate Manager (National Avg) | $33.79 |
| Appraiser / Assessor of Real Estate (National Avg) | $37.18 |
Real Estate Agents in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $62,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.92% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 0.10% above the Alabama state average of $62,634.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.15/hr = $37,622/year (purchasing power: $42,887).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,703/year (purchasing power: $71,479).
CoL index: 87.722 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Tuscaloosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Tuscaloosa grew 31.1% from $22.66/hr (2019) to $29.70/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.60/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem real estate agents can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Real Estate Agent in Tuscaloosa
Given the commission-based structure inherent to the real estate industry, agents working part-time can still achieve reasonable yields. For instance, a real estate agent working 24 hours per week could see annual earnings close to $37,000, while a full-time counterpart would substantially surpass this figure. The reality of per-diem arrangements is less common, as most agents operate as 1099 independent contractors gathering commissions from sales, particularly after the 2024 NAR settlement influenced commission dynamics. Generally, the top producers often see hourly equivalents ranging from $100 to $300, while newer agents may struggle to earn beyond minimum wage due to unpaid prospecting efforts. Across various types of brokerages—national franchises, local independents, and luxury firms—hourly rates can differ widely, with agents often trading higher pay for benefits like health insurance, which can create an interesting dynamic for those weighing their options in this competitive field. Proper negotiation strategies aimed at acknowledging the unique Tuscaloosa market could also empower agents, enhancing their compensation discussions significantly.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for real estate agents in Tuscaloosa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for real estate agents (SOC 41-9022).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov