Real Estate Agent Pay

Allentown vs Reading: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Allentown, PA and Reading, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$54,678
$26.29/hr
Reading, PA
$52,709
$25.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAReading, PA
Median Salary$54,678$52,709
Hourly Rate$26.29$25.34
Entry Level (P10)$38,580$31,171
25th Percentile$48,009$44,508
75th Percentile$83,200$77,262
Top Earner (P90)$97,196$97,765
Total Employed340120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($54,678) and Reading ($52,709) real estate agent salaries.AllentownReadingMedian Salary$54,678$52,709Entry Level (P10)$38,580$31,171Top Earner (P90)$97,196$97,765US Median $53,622

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Reading.

The salary gap between Allentown and Reading is $1,969 (3.74%). Allentown's median is +1.97% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $58,616,Reading spans $66,594. Reading has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$38,580
P25$48,009
Median$54,678
P75$83,200
P90 (Top)$97,196
Reading
P10 (Entry)$31,171
P25$44,508
Median$52,709
P75$77,262
P90 (Top)$97,765

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($54,696 effective) pays 0.72% more than Reading ($54,306 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $54,678
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $54,696
Reading
Nominal: $52,709
CoL Index: 97.06
Adjusted: $54,306

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,678/year)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,696)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Reading if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,765)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Allentown grew 17.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.0% growth in Reading over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+17.5%

$45,860 (2019) → $53,870 (2025)

Reading, PA

+12.0%

$46,380 (2019) → $51,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Allentown or Reading?

Allentown has a higher median real estate agent salary at $54,678/year, compared to Reading at $52,709/year — a difference of $1,969 (3.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Reading?

Allentown real estate agents earn $26.29/hr while Reading hygienists earn $25.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Reading as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Reading. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $54,696, Reading = $54,306), job availability (340 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Allentown vs Reading?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $38,580 in Allentown and $31,171 in Reading. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Chen, REALTOR®Data verified by Fatima Ali, REALTOR®

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov