Real Estate Agent Pay

Atlanta vs Dalton: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Atlanta, GA and Dalton, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$47,431
$22.81/hr
Dalton, GA
$47,126
$22.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GADalton, GA
Median Salary$47,431$47,126
Hourly Rate$22.81$22.65
Entry Level (P10)$33,617$28,461
25th Percentile$41,473$35,545
75th Percentile$73,791$62,605
Top Earner (P90)$143,267$81,129
Total Employed6,96040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($47,431) and Dalton ($47,126) real estate agent salaries.AtlantaDaltonMedian Salary$47,431$47,126Entry Level (P10)$33,617$28,461Top Earner (P90)$143,267$81,129US Median $53,622

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dalton.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Dalton is $305 (0.65%). Atlanta's median is -11.55% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $109,650,Dalton spans $52,668. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$33,617
P25$41,473
Median$47,431
P75$73,791
P90 (Top)$143,267
Dalton
P10 (Entry)$28,461
P25$35,545
Median$47,126
P75$62,605
P90 (Top)$81,129

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dalton ($52,453 effective) pays 10.65% more than Atlanta ($47,404 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $47,431
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $47,404
Dalton
Nominal: $47,126
CoL Index: 89.844
Adjusted: $52,453

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,431/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($143,267)
  • Larger job market (6,960 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Dalton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,453)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Atlanta grew -3.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.7% growth in Dalton over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+-3.6%

$48,470 (2019) → $46,730 (2025)

Dalton, GA

+-16.7%

$55,710 (2024) → $46,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Atlanta or Dalton?

Atlanta has a higher median real estate agent salary at $47,431/year, compared to Dalton at $47,126/year — a difference of $305 (0.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Dalton?

Atlanta real estate agents earn $22.81/hr while Dalton hygienists earn $22.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Dalton as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Dalton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $47,404, Dalton = $52,453), job availability (6,960 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Atlanta vs Dalton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $33,617 in Atlanta and $28,461 in Dalton. The Atlanta 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