Real Estate Agent Salary in Lafayette, LA: $44,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Lafayette, LA earns a median $44,264/year (≈ $21.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $50,756 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Among the shifts affecting the real estate market in Lafayette, Louisiana, the 2024 NAR settlement has notably altered commission structures, influencing compensation dynamics for local agents. As of 2026, a typical real estate agent can expect to earn a median annual salary of $44,264, significantly lower than the national median of $53,622. The salary can vary widely, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $18,767 and the highest 10% making up to $90,832. These figures are derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and reflect the unique economic conditions in Lafayette. With a cost of living index below the national average, job seekers in this city are navigating a market that offers distinct advantages and challenges in terms of real estate agent pay in Lafayette, LA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18,767 | $9.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,264 | $21.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,285 | $30.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,832 | $43.67 |
Median Salary Position
17.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,065 (2026 est.). At $44,264, the local median is 17.45% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $44,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $46,643 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -17.45% less |
Real Estate Agents in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $44,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.45% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 5.10% below the Louisiana state average of $46,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $44,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,756 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,560
2025 BLS Actual
$43,610
2026 Current Est.
$44,264
2019–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,928 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 47.5% from $29,560 (2019) to $43,610 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,928 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,368 (51.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $18,767 – $33,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,860 – $44,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,264 – $63,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,285 – $90,832 |
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 Lafayette
The local job market for real estate agents in Lafayette is moderately robust, with around 210 professionals currently employed. This stability, combined with a cost of living index of 87.209, means that agents can enjoy a relatively higher purchasing power compared to more expensive markets. The disparity in salaries amongst agents can often be attributed to factors such as transaction volume, average sale price of properties, and commission splits with brokerages, where top-performing agents often negotiate more favorable terms. National franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX typically offer higher pay scales compared to local independent firms, while specialized luxury or commercial real estate firms can yield increased earnings for agents who focus on high-value properties. To maximize their income potential, agents in Lafayette are advised to cultivate robust referral networks and consider joining teams that benefit from collective resources, thus enhancing their market presence in a competitive field.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 $43,610 for real estate agentsin the Lafayette 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