Real Estate Agent Pay

Bloomington vs Champaign: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Bloomington, IL and Champaign, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, IL
$46,040
$22.14/hr
Champaign, IL
$38,793
$18.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, ILChampaign, IL
Median Salary$46,040$38,793
Hourly Rate$22.14$18.66
Entry Level (P10)$31,668$31,668
25th Percentile$34,216$34,693
75th Percentile$56,140$58,241
Top Earner (P90)$97,684$97,410
Total Employed50130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($46,040) and Champaign ($38,793) real estate agent salaries.BloomingtonChampaignMedian Salary$46,040$38,793Entry Level (P10)$31,668$31,668Top Earner (P90)$97,684$97,410US Median $53,622

Verdict

Bloomington, IL offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Champaign.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Champaign is $7,247 (18.68%). Bloomington's median is -14.14% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $66,016,Champaign spans $65,742. Bloomington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$31,668
P25$34,216
Median$46,040
P75$56,140
P90 (Top)$97,684
Champaign
P10 (Entry)$31,668
P25$34,693
Median$38,793
P75$58,241
P90 (Top)$97,410

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bloomington ($49,221 effective) pays 17.62% more than Champaign ($41,846 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $46,040
CoL Index: 93.537
Adjusted: $49,221
Champaign
Nominal: $38,793
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $41,846

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,040/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,684)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,221)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Champaign if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Bloomington grew 50.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 3.9% growth in Champaign over the same period.

Bloomington, IL

+50.3%

$30,170 (2021) → $45,360 (2025)

Champaign, IL

+3.9%

$36,790 (2019) → $38,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Bloomington or Champaign?

Bloomington has a higher median real estate agent salary at $46,040/year, compared to Champaign at $38,793/year — a difference of $7,247 (18.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Champaign?

Bloomington real estate agents earn $22.14/hr while Champaign hygienists earn $18.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Champaign as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Champaign. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $49,221, Champaign = $41,846), job availability (50 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Bloomington vs Champaign?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $31,668 in Bloomington and $31,668 in Champaign. The Champaign 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