Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Salem, VA: $22.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Salem, VA runs $22.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,045 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, Virginia, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $22.47, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $25.78. This pay structure provides insight into both full-time and part-time opportunities within the profession, particularly beneficial for those considering a 3-day work week. Operating hours commonly include time spent in brokerage offices for desk duties or client appointments, as well as fieldwork during property tours and showings. The hourly pay range for agents in Salem stretches from $13.57 for entry-level positions to $34.82 for top earners, reflecting the varying experience levels and specialization within the industry. It is essential to recognize that these hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data for 2026, emphasizing the commission-based nature of real estate work.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.57 | $108.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.86 | $142.91 |
| Median (P50) | $22.47 | $179.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.77 | $230.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.82 | $278.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $22.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.47/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, VA can expect to earn approximately $46,742 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,967. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $898.88 | $3,895 | $46,742 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.33 | $2,337 | $28,045 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.55 | $1,558 | $18,697 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Salem) | $22.47 |
| 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 Salem, VA earn a median of $46,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.84% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $48,181.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.47/hr = $28,045/year (purchasing power: $27,176).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,742/year (purchasing power: $45,293).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Salem grew 8.0% from $20.51/hr (2019) to $22.14/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.81/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 Salem 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 Salem
Considering the financial impact, a part-time real estate agent working three days a week can take home significantly less than a full-time counterpart, potentially making around $26,067 annually, while full-time agents can expect higher earnings given the commission structure. Per diem real estate agent pay in Salem is relatively uncommon, as the majority of agents operate as 1099 independent contractors and are compensated based on commission from sales. Top producers may command hourly equivalents between $100 and $300, while newer agents often see their hourly returns dip below the minimum wage level when factoring in unpaid time spent on prospecting. Hourly rates can also vary depending on the brokerage model in Salem, with national franchise firms typically offering more stability, while independent and discount brokerages might provide lower hourly pay with additional commission splits. Agents must weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with benefits and higher pay without health insurance, making strategic negotiations essential to optimize their earnings in the evolving landscape following the post-2024 NAR commission settlement.
More salary data for Salem, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Salem in 2026?
How much do part-time real estate agents make in Salem?
Are real estate agents in Salem paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time real estate agent make per year in Salem?
Do real estate agents earn more per hour working part-time in Salem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Salem. 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 Salem 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