Real Estate Agent Salary in DeKalb, IL: $44,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in DeKalb, IL earns a median $44,860/year (≈ $21.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $46,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in DeKalb, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $44,860. This figure reflects a notable reduction compared to the national median of $53,622, signaling the challenging dynamics in the local real estate market following the post-2024 NAR commission settlement. Real estate agent pay in DeKalb, IL, ranges from $30,292 at the lower tenth percentile to $69,533 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These numbers are derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments to provide a clearer picture of what agents can anticipate in this area. As DeKalb continues to navigate these changes, understanding local market conditions and salary expectations becomes essential for prospective and current agents alike.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,292 | $14.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,236 | $16.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,421 | $27.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,533 | $33.43 |
Median Salary Position
16.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,241 (2026 est.). At $44,860, the local median is 16.34% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $44,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $46,632 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -16.34% less |
Real Estate Agents in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $44,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.34% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $46,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $44,860 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,934
2025 BLS Actual
$44,197
2026 Current Est.
$44,860
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,934 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,441 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,537 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,533 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $40,934 (2019) to $44,197 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,533 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,599 (11.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $30,292 – $35,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,236 – $44,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,860 – $57,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,421 – $69,533 |
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 DeKalb
With only nine real estate agents currently employed in DeKalb, the job market presents a unique opportunity for agents willing to adapt to the shifting commission structures. The local cost of living index, recorded at 97.1, indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power could remain steady. Among potential employers, national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams or Century 21 typically offer higher competitive salaries compared to local independent brokerages. Agents looking to maximize their pay in DeKalb should focus on increasing transaction volume and considering team-based structures, which often allow for split commission arrangements that can optimize earnings. Additionally, pursuing specialization in sectors like luxury or commercial real estate, which tend to yield higher commissions, could further enhance an agent’s income in this evolving market. Balancing the realities of commission splits after the NAR settlement with the need for a robust referral network will be critical in shaping the future success of real estate professionals in DeKalb, IL.
More salary data for DeKalb, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can real estate agents make $100K in DeKalb?
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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 $44,197 for real estate agentsin the DeKalb 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
Salary data for DeKalb 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