Real Estate Agent Salary in Kearney, NE: $47,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Kearney, NE earns a median $47,247/year (≈ $22.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $51,636 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the evolving landscape for real estate professionals has led to a projected median annual salary of $47,247 in 2026, which falls short of the national median of $53,622. The salary range for a real estate agent in this area spans from $31,760 at the lower end (P10) to $73,233 at the upper echelon (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, with adjustments made for regional pricing variations. The aftermath of the post-2024 NAR settlement has introduced significant changes in commission structures, influencing both earnings and operational dynamics in the local market. Given Kearney's unique economic conditions, it's crucial for agents to remain agile in adapting to these shifts as the market continues to stabilize.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,153 | $17.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,247 | $22.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,477 | $29.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,233 | $35.21 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,473 (2026 est.). At $47,247, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Kearney median: $47,247/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $49,063 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -11.89% less |
Real Estate Agents in Kearney, NE earn a median of $47,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $49,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $47,247 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,636 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,113
2025 BLS Actual
$46,549
2026 Current Est.
$47,247
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,113 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,593 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,038 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,844 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,549 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $43,113 (2019) to $46,549 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,843 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $31,760 – $37,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,153 – $47,247 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,247 – $60,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,477 – $73,233 |
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 Kearney
As of 2025, only nine individuals are employed as real estate agents in Kearney, highlighting a small yet focused workforce in a community where the cost of living index stands at 91.5. This below-average index indicates that agents may enjoy enhanced purchasing power compared to other regions, even with lower salaries. Local independent brokerages often offer competitive pay, while larger national franchises can capitalize on their extensive networks. The disparity to levels of compensation can be attributed to varying transaction volumes, the average sale price, commission splits, and team structures. To optimize earnings in the Kearney market, new agents should consider specializing in sectors that yield higher commissions, such as commercial or luxury properties, or forming alliances within successful teams that can provide better referral opportunities.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $46,549 for real estate agentsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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