Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Columbus, IN: $23.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Columbus, IN runs $23.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,325 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,995 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay for a real estate agent in 2026 is $23.23, which is notably lower than the national median of $25.78 per hour. This difference may influence those considering part-time or per diem work, as agents often split their time between various duties such as client property showings, listing presentations, and remote consultations. For individuals working three days a week, the potential for flexibility could be appealing, with average earnings varying widely from $14.69 for entry-level roles to approximately $36.01 for top earners. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the wide range of compensation available in the field depending on experience and sales success.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.69 | $117.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.51 | $140.07 |
| Median (P50) | $23.23 | $185.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.74 | $237.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.01 | $288.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $23.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.23/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, IN can expect to earn approximately $48,325 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,880. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $929.33 | $4,027 | $48,325 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.60 | $2,416 | $28,995 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.73 | $1,611 | $19,330 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Columbus) | $23.23 |
| 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 Columbus, IN earn a median of $48,325 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.88% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 1.50% below the Indiana state average of $49,061.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.23/hr = $28,995/year (purchasing power: $31,758).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,325/year (purchasing power: $52,930).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Columbus grew 8.0% from $21.20/hr (2019) to $22.89/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.58/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Analyzing hourly earnings for real estate professionals in Columbus reveals intriguing dynamics, especially for part-time agents. A realtor working just 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $29,199 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time counterparts who may see significantly higher earnings, especially as commission-based income predominates this sector. Typically, per diem real estate agent pay in Columbus is closely tied to the commission model, where top performers can earn the equivalent of $100 to $300 per hour, while newcomers may struggle to break even when considering the unpaid hours spent on prospecting. Moreover, hourly compensation varies based on the type of brokerage – national franchises can offer higher base salaries compared to local or discount brokerages, yet those opting for lower hourly rates may do so for the benefits they provide. Understanding these compensation structures and negotiating effectively can be vital for a successful career in real estate, especially as recent commission structure changes following the 2024 NAR settlement continue to influence earnings across the board.
More salary data for Columbus, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Columbus. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Columbus is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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