Real Estate Agent Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $41,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $41,041/year (≈ $19.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $45,805 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for a real estate agent in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is estimated to be $41,041, which represents a significant gap when compared to the national median of $53,622. This area's salary range for real estate agents extends from $28,086 at the 10th percentile to $63,613 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and success in this competitive industry. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the influence of transaction volume and average price dynamics in the market. Given Cape Girardeau's real estate market conditions, which include a generally lower cost of living, agents can expect to see how effectively they can translate their transaction capabilities into their hourly compensation, which averages around $19.73.
About the Cape Girardeau Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,086 | $13.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,640 | $15.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,041 | $19.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,532 | $25.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,613 | $30.58 |
Median Salary Position
23.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,527 (2026 est.). At $41,041, the local median is 23.46% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $41,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $42,310 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -23.46% less |
Real Estate Agents in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $41,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.46% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $42,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $41,041 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,805 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,449
2025 BLS Actual
$40,434
2026 Current Est.
$41,041
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,449 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,998 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,434 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,656 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $37,449 (2019) to $40,434 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,207 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $28,086 – $32,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,640 – $41,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,041 – $52,532 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,532 – $63,613 |
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 Cape Girardeau
The local job market for real estate agents in Cape Girardeau is relatively limited, with just six professionals actively engaged in these roles, which can affect competition and opportunities. The cost of living index in Cape Girardeau is at 89.6, making housing and expenses more manageable compared to national averages, thus enhancing take-home purchasing power for agents. Among employers in the area, larger national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX generally offer higher salaries compared to local independent firms or fee-based brokerages. Factors influencing the difference in pay include transaction volume, average sale price, and commission structures, which can range significantly based on whether an agent is part of a team or operates independently. Additionally, with the incoming changes following the post-2024 NAR commission settlement, agents must strategically adjust their approaches to maximize their pay, possibly by focusing on building strong referral networks or specializing in lucrative market segments, such as luxury or commercial real estate in Cape Girardeau, MO.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 $40,434 for real estate agentsin the Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau 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