Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Chelsea, MA: $44.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Chelsea, MA runs $44.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,920 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Chelsea's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,153 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Chelsea, Massachusetts, offers a competitive real estate agent hourly pay, with the median rate projected at $44.19 in 2026, substantially higher than the national median of $25.78. For real estate professionals working part-time, typically just three days a week, this translates to a significant earning capability compared to many other occupations. The hourly range extends from $28.30 for entry-level positions to as much as $68.50 for the top 10% of earners. This flexibility allows for diverse working environments, whether it's conducting property tours, attending listing appointments, or managing tasks remotely. These hourly rates are derived from the annual salary estimates and can reflect the dynamic nature of the profession as agents often balance commissions with client engagements across various local settings.
About the Chelsea 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) | $28.30 | $226.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.61 | $268.85 |
| Median (P50) | $44.19 | $353.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.57 | $452.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.50 | $548.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chelsea
Based on $44.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.19/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chelsea, MA can expect to earn approximately $91,922 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,032. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chelsea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chelsea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,767.72 | $7,660 | $91,922 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,060.63 | $4,596 | $55,153 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $707.09 | $3,064 | $36,769 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Chelsea) | $44.19 |
| 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 Chelsea, MA earn a median of $91,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 71.42% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $92,755.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.19/hr = $55,153/year (purchasing power: $50,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,922/year (purchasing power: $84,720).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Chelsea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Chelsea grew 8.0% from $40.33/hr (2019) to $43.54/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.86/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 Chelsea 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 Chelsea
Given the commission-driven structure of real estate in Chelsea, part-time agents may find that working just 24 hours a week can yield an annual take-home amount significantly different from those who are full-time. While per diem real estate agent pay remains atypical, top producers can earn hourly equivalents between $100 and $300, whereas newer agents might realize an hourly income that, when considering unpaid activities like prospecting, can hover below minimum wage. Differences in hourly compensation are also influenced by the type of brokerage, with local independents sometimes offering health benefits at a cost of lower hourly rates compared to national franchises that may emphasize higher earnings through commission splits. This reality creates a dual-edged sword for agents weighing immediate income potential against long-term benefits, necessitating careful negotiation strategies tailored to the specific circumstances of the Chelsea market.
More salary data for Chelsea, MA:
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 Chelsea. 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 Chelsea 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