Real Estate Agent Pay

Arlington vs Worcester: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Arlington, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Arlington, MA
$91,389
$43.94/hr
Worcester, MA
$94,831
$45.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricArlington, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$91,389$94,831
Hourly Rate$43.94$45.59
Entry Level (P10)$57,718$59,214
25th Percentile$68,834$71,638
75th Percentile$116,978$121,384
Top Earner (P90)$141,652$146,989
Total Employed934
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Arlington ($91,389) and Worcester ($94,831) real estate agent salaries.ArlingtonWorcesterMedian Salary$91,389$94,831Entry Level (P10)$57,718$59,214Top Earner (P90)$141,652$146,989US Median $53,622

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Arlington.

The salary gap between Arlington and Worcester is $3,442 (3.77%). Worcester's median is +76.85% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Arlington spans $83,934,Worcester spans $87,775. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Arlington
P10 (Entry)$57,718
P25$68,834
Median$91,389
P75$116,978
P90 (Top)$141,652
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$59,214
P25$71,638
Median$94,831
P75$121,384
P90 (Top)$146,989

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($87,402 effective) pays 3.77% more than Arlington ($84,229 effective).

Arlington
Nominal: $91,389
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $84,229
Worcester
Nominal: $94,831
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $87,402

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Arlington if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,831/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,989)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,402)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Arlington grew -4.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 125.3% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Arlington, MA

+-4.3%

$94,057 (2024) → $90,038 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+125.3%

$41,460 (2019) → $93,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Arlington or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median real estate agent salary at $94,831/year, compared to Arlington at $91,389/year — a difference of $3,442 (3.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Arlington and Worcester?

Arlington real estate agents earn $43.94/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $45.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Arlington to Worcester as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Arlington and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Arlington = $84,229, Worcester = $87,402), job availability (9 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Arlington vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $57,718 in Arlington and $59,214 in Worcester. The Worcester area offers higher starting salaries.
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