Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Chelmsford, MA: $42.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Chelmsford, MA runs $42.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,184 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Chelmsford's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,911 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Chelmsford's real estate agents can expect a median hourly pay of $42.40 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $25.78. This competitive rate reflects the dynamics of the local market, where agents engage in various activities including property showings, listing presentations, and often work remotely from their homes or brokerage offices. For those considering part-time real estate work, such as working three days per week, the hourly rate can offer considerable earnings relative to a traditional part-time job. The hourly range in Chelmsford spans from approximately $27.61 for entry-level positions to around $65.71 for top earners, illustrating the potential for high income depending on experience and performance in the industry. These projections are based on annual salary data, emphasizing how income can fluctuate based on commission-based sales rather than a standard wage.
About the Chelmsford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.61 | $220.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.67 | $261.38 |
| Median (P50) | $42.40 | $339.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.27 | $434.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.71 | $525.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chelmsford
Based on $42.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.40/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chelmsford, MA can expect to earn approximately $88,185 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,876. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chelmsford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chelmsford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,695.86 | $7,349 | $88,185 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,017.52 | $4,409 | $52,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $678.34 | $2,939 | $35,274 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Chelmsford) | $42.40 |
| 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 Chelmsford, MA earn a median of $88,184 per year (2026 est.), which is 64.45% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $92,728.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.40/hr = $52,911/year (purchasing power: $48,766).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,185/year (purchasing power: $81,276).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Chelmsford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Chelmsford grew 8.0% from $38.69/hr (2019) to $41.77/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.03/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 Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford
The earning potential for Chelmsford real estate agents largely depends on their employment situation and chosen practice model. A part-time agent working 24 hours a week could see an annual income that substantially varies compared to a full-time agent, illustrating a significant distinction between both schedules. Given that real estate is primarily commission-driven, per-diem work in this field is less common, with many professionals functioning as 1099 independent contractors. Top producers can command hourly rates that range from $100 to $300, while newer agents often find themselves in a challenging position, sometimes earning less than minimum wage when factoring in unpaid hours spent on prospecting. Real estate agents in Chelmsford also face divergent earnings structures based on their employer type. For instance, national franchises may offer a more robust support system than independent brokerages or fee-based firms, potentially resulting in lower hourly pay but with added benefits like health insurance. Consequently, agents must negotiate these factors carefully, especially in a market reshaped by recent commission structure revisions spurred by the 2024 NAR settlement.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Chelmsford in 2026?
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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 Chelmsford. 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 Chelmsford 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