Real Estate Agent Salary in Chicago, IL: $62,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Chicago, IL earns a median $62,717/year (≈ $30.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $60,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 34.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the real estate agent salary in Chicago reaches a median of $62,717, significantly above the national median of $53,622. The salary range for these professionals spans from $38,052 at the lowest end (P10) to $75,080 at the highest (P90), reflecting diverse opportunities based on structural choices in the industry, such as team versus solo practices and the type of brokerage involved. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, illustrates how market dynamics affect compensation—agents who affiliate with well-established commercial firms or top-performing franchise brokerages may find enhanced earning potential compared to independent operators. The nature of the Chicago job market, characterized by competitive commission structures, influences the overall earnings landscape for real estate professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,052 | $18.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,468 | $20.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,717 | $30.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,717 | $30.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,080 | $36.09 |
Median Salary Position
16.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,028 (2026 est.). At $62,717, the local median is 16.96% above the national median of $53,622.
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How Chicago Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Chicago median: $62,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $46,630 | +34.50% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +16.96% more |
Real Estate Agents in Chicago, IL earn a median of $62,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.96% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 34.50% above the Illinois state average of $46,630.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,717 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,541 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,430
2025 BLS Actual
$61,790
2026 Current Est.
$62,717
2019–2027 Growth
+109.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 103.1% from $30,430 (2019) to $61,790 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,228 (109.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,052 – $42,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,468 – $62,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,717 – $62,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,717 – $75,080 |
REA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual real estate agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Real Estate Agent Job Market in Chicago
Analyzing the employment environment in Chicago, approximately 5,100 real estate agents are currently navigating a cost-of-living index of 103.595, which, while slightly above the national average, still demands strategic financial planning. Given that many agents work as 1099 independent contractors, understanding commission structures is essential. Those affiliated with national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX often enjoy higher pay opportunities due to wider networks and brand recognition, while agents specializing in luxury or commercial real estate tend to command premium commissions due to the larger transaction volumes. Effective strategies for boosting pay include honing in on high-value property segments, leveraging referral networks, and aligning with team-based operations that can offer a more significant share of commissions. Agents who adapt to the evolving real estate landscape, especially in light of the post-2024 NAR commission structure changes, must navigate the variances in earnings carefully to maximize their compensation potential in the competitive Chicago IL market.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,790 for real estate agentsin the Chicago metropolitan area. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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