Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $22.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Rapid City, SD runs $22.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,185 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $22.58, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $25.78. This rate reflects the local market dynamics, where agents often work across multiple environments, including brokerage office settings, property showings, and remote work. For part-time agents working three days a week, or per-diem agents who may engage in flexible schedules, this hourly compensation translates into a steady, but modest income. The hourly pay range extends from $22.40 for entry-level positions to $36.07 for high-performing agents, aligning with the diverse strategies employed by agents in the region. The data presented draws from official BLS 2025 OEWS data, projected for 2026, offering a clear view of current earning potential.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.40 | $179.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.42 | $179.37 |
| Median (P50) | $22.58 | $180.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.58 | $180.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.07 | $288.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $22.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.58/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $46,974 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,101. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $903.35 | $3,915 | $46,974 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $542.01 | $2,349 | $28,185 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.34 | $1,566 | $18,790 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Rapid City) | $22.58 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $46,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.42% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 5.60% below the South Dakota state average of $49,750.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.58/hr = $28,185/year (purchasing power: $31,611).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,974/year (purchasing power: $52,685).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-11.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Rapid City grew -14.3% from $25.95/hr (2019) to $22.25/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.92/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
Focusing on the financial realities of part-time work for real estate agents in Rapid City, those who choose to work just three days a week can expect to take home a significantly lower annual income than full-time colleagues. Many agents operate as independent contractors under a 1099 status, meaning their compensation is often commission-based rather than hourly, complicating direct comparisons of pay. Per diem real estate agent pay in Rapid City is relatively uncommon and typically less structured. For the top producers, hourly earnings can range from $100 to $300, while newer agents might find themselves earning less than the minimum wage due to unpaid hours spent prospecting and building their networks. The variation in hourly rates can also be attributed to the type of brokerage; national franchises may have different compensation structures compared to local independents or fee-based brokerages. Additionally, agents may choose between lower hourly rates with health benefits or higher rates without benefits, depending on their personal circumstances. Understanding these factors is essential for anyone navigating the real estate industry landscape in Rapid City, especially in light of the changing commission structures following the 2024 NAR settlement.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Rapid City. 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, 4-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