Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $29.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Charleston, SC runs $29.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,012 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,608 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Real estate agents in Charleston, South Carolina, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $29.33, significantly higher than the national median of $25.78. This attractive hourly rate presents ample opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers, as many agents work in dynamic settings such as brokerage offices, client tours, listing presentations, and closing appointments. With an hourly range that spans from $19.52 for entry-level positions to $62.50 for top earners, Charleston's real estate market provides a viable income trajectory for aspiring agents. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, projected to 2026, which reflects the nuances of the local real estate market and variations in demand for real estate services.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.52 | $156.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.15 | $201.21 |
| Median (P50) | $29.33 | $234.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.99 | $327.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.50 | $500.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $29.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.33/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $61,014 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,200. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,173.34 | $5,084 | $61,014 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $704.00 | $3,051 | $36,608 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.34 | $2,034 | $24,405 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Charleston) | $29.33 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $61,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.78% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 24.40% above the South Carolina state average of $49,045.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.33/hr = $36,608/year (purchasing power: $36,259).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,014/year (purchasing power: $60,432).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Charleston grew 52.3% from $18.98/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.77/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Exploring the financial prospects for real estate agents in Charleston reveals interesting dynamics, particularly for those choosing part-time work. For example, an agent working three days a week could anticipate a take-home that significantly differs from their full-time peers, highlighting the importance of managing part-time schedules effectively. Typically, real estate roles are commission-based, making per-diem structures less common; this means many agents may earn pay rates between $100 and $300 for successful transactions as they navigate leads and client engagements. Different brokerage models can influence earnings too, with national franchises offering structured salaries, while independent and discount brokerages might provide lower base pay in exchange for flexibility and potential commission profits. With crucial factors such as healthcare and benefits at stake, agents must weigh the trade-offs of hourly pay versus steady income when joining various firms. Adopting practical negotiation strategies tailored to their specific agency and market conditions can greatly enhance earnings in the competitive Charleston real estate environment.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time real estate agents make in Charleston?
Are real estate agents in Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time real estate agent make per year in Charleston?
Do real estate agents earn more per hour working part-time in Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Charleston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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