Real Estate Agent Pay

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.

$91,150
Median Annual Salary
$43.82/hr
Hourly Rate
$57,074
Entry Level (P10)
$141,283
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Real Estate Agent Hourly Rate in Needham, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Needham, MA real estate agent hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a real estate agent in Needham earning $43.82/hr would make approximately $52,581 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $91,141 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$52,581Reduced (32 hr/wk)$70,108Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$91,141

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$350.54
per 8hr shift
$1,752.70
per week
$7,595
per month
$91,141
per year

Schedule Comparison in Needham

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing real estate agent median salary in Needham ($91,150) with Massachusetts average ($92,726) and the US national median ($53,622).Needham$91,150Massachusetts Avg$92,726-1.70%US National$53,622+69.99%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for real estate agents in Needham. Baseline $39.98/hr in 2025, projected to $44.47/hr by 2027.$38$40$42$44$462019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$39.98$40.07$39.50$40.84$44.37$45.10$43.17$43.82$44.47
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$39.98/hrActual
2020$40.07/hrActual
2021$39.50/hrActual
2022$40.84/hrActual
2023$44.37/hrActual
2024$45.10/hrActual
2025$43.17/hrActual
2026(current)$43.82/hrEstimated
2027$44.47/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Needham in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for real estate agents in Needham is $43.82/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 1.50% annual growth). Rates range from $27.44 at entry level (10th percentile) to $67.92 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 70.0% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time real estate agents make in Needham?

A part-time real estate agent working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Needham earns approximately $4,557/month, or $54,684/year at the median hourly rate of $43.82. Many real estate agents prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are real estate agents in Needham paid hourly or salary?

The majority of real estate agents in Needham are paid hourly at a median rate of $43.82/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $91,141/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time real estate agent make per year in Needham?

A full-time real estate agent working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Needham earns approximately $91,141/year at the median hourly rate of $43.82. This is 70.0% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $141,282/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do real estate agents earn more per hour working part-time in Needham?

Part-time and per diem real estate agents in Needham sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $67.92/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Chen, REALTOR®Data verified by Fatima Ali, REALTOR®

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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