Real Estate Agent Pay

Appleton vs Janesville: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Appleton, WI and Janesville, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Appleton, WI
$60,129
$28.91/hr
Janesville, WI
$59,418
$28.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAppleton, WIJanesville, WI
Median Salary$60,129$59,418
Hourly Rate$28.91$28.57
Entry Level (P10)$38,946$38,357
25th Percentile$47,979$50,242
75th Percentile$77,404$78,114
Top Earner (P90)$92,690$78,815
Total Employed230130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Appleton ($60,129) and Janesville ($59,418) real estate agent salaries.AppletonJanesvilleMedian Salary$60,129$59,418Entry Level (P10)$38,946$38,357Top Earner (P90)$92,690$78,815US Median $53,622

Verdict

Appleton, WI offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Janesville.

The salary gap between Appleton and Janesville is $711 (1.20%). Appleton's median is +12.13% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Appleton spans $53,744,Janesville spans $40,458. Appleton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Appleton
P10 (Entry)$38,946
P25$47,979
Median$60,129
P75$77,404
P90 (Top)$92,690
Janesville
P10 (Entry)$38,357
P25$50,242
Median$59,418
P75$78,114
P90 (Top)$78,815

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Appleton ($65,061 effective) pays 2.60% more than Janesville ($63,411 effective).

Appleton
Nominal: $60,129
CoL Index: 92.419
Adjusted: $65,061
Janesville
Nominal: $59,418
CoL Index: 93.703
Adjusted: $63,411

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Appleton if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,129/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,690)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,061)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Janesville if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Appleton grew 54.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -18.9% growth in Janesville over the same period.

Appleton, WI

+54.3%

$38,390 (2019) → $59,240 (2025)

Janesville, WI

+-18.9%

$72,220 (2019) → $58,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Appleton or Janesville?

Appleton has a higher median real estate agent salary at $60,129/year, compared to Janesville at $59,418/year — a difference of $711 (1.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Appleton and Janesville?

Appleton real estate agents earn $28.91/hr while Janesville hygienists earn $28.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Appleton to Janesville as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Appleton and Janesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Appleton = $65,061, Janesville = $63,411), job availability (230 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Appleton vs Janesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $38,946 in Appleton and $38,357 in Janesville. The Appleton 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