Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Needham, MA: $43.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Needham, MA runs $43.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,150 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Needham's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,684 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Needham, Massachusetts, real estate agents can expect a median hourly pay of $43.82, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $25.78. This elevated rate translates favorably for part-time professionals, those working roughly three days a week, as they can earn a competitive income while managing their schedules more flexibly. With entry-level agents starting at approximately $27.44 per hour and those at the pinnacle of the profession potentially earning as much as $67.92, the variety in compensation highlights the commission-based nature of this career. Typical work settings include brokerage offices, client property tours, and flexible remote options, allowing agents to optimize their hours as needed while still benefiting from a robust income in this vibrant Massachusetts market.
About the Needham 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) | $27.44 | $219.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.87 | $262.93 |
| Median (P50) | $43.82 | $350.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.09 | $448.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.92 | $543.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Needham
Based on $43.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.82/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Needham, MA can expect to earn approximately $91,141 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,581. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Needham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Needham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,752.70 | $7,595 | $91,141 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,051.62 | $4,557 | $54,684 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $701.08 | $3,038 | $36,456 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Needham) | $43.82 |
| 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 Needham, MA earn a median of $91,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.99% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $92,726.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.82/hr = $54,684/year (purchasing power: $50,400).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,141/year (purchasing power: $84,000).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Needham grew 8.0% from $39.98/hr (2019) to $43.17/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.47/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 Needham 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 Needham
For part-time agents in Needham who commit to working around 24 hours a week, their annual earnings can vastly differ from full-time counterparts. On a part-time basis, they might see earnings that significantly undercut what full-time agents can rake in—potentially translating to income that feels inadequate given the unpaid hours required for tasks like prospecting. In this commission-driven profession, per diem real estate agent pay in Needham is somewhat atypical; most agents work under a 1099 classification, splitting commissions with their brokerages. While top producers command rates upward of $100 to $300 per hour, newer agents under 2 years of experience may struggle with compensation that falls below minimum wage when pares down to actual work hours. Moreover, the type of brokerage—whether it's a national franchise or a local independent firm—can influence hourly earnings due to differing commission structures and support systems. Some may find themselves gravitating toward firms offering health insurance and benefits, which could mean accepting slightly lower hourly rates. For negotiating rates, knowing comparable salaries within the Needham market becomes key, especially as the industry shifts following the 2024 NAR settlements which have altered compensation dynamics.
More salary data for Needham, 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 Needham. 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 Needham 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