Real Estate Agent Pay

Boston vs Methuen: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$99,892
$48.03/hr
Methuen, MA
$91,462
$43.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAMethuen, MA
Median Salary$99,892$91,462
Hourly Rate$48.03$43.97
Entry Level (P10)$63,068$60,374
25th Percentile$75,994$71,176
75th Percentile$127,862$117,071
Top Earner (P90)$154,833$141,766
Total Employed17412
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($99,892) and Methuen ($91,462) real estate agent salaries.BostonMethuenMedian Salary$99,892$91,462Entry Level (P10)$63,068$60,374Top Earner (P90)$154,833$141,766US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Methuen is $8,430 (9.22%). Boston's median is +86.29% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $91,765,Methuen spans $81,392. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$63,068
P25$75,994
Median$99,892
P75$127,862
P90 (Top)$154,833
Methuen
P10 (Entry)$60,374
P25$71,176
Median$91,462
P75$117,071
P90 (Top)$141,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($92,066 effective) pays 9.22% more than Methuen ($84,297 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $99,892
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $92,066
Methuen
Nominal: $91,462
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $84,297

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,892/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,833)
  • Larger job market (174 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,066)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Methuen if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Boston grew 45.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.3% growth in Methuen over the same period.

Boston, MA

+45.1%

$67,820 (2019) → $98,416 (2025)

Methuen, MA

+-4.3%

$94,132 (2024) → $90,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Boston or Methuen?

Boston has a higher median real estate agent salary at $99,892/year, compared to Methuen at $91,462/year — a difference of $8,430 (9.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Methuen?

Boston real estate agents earn $48.03/hr while Methuen hygienists earn $43.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Methuen as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Methuen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $92,066, Methuen = $84,297), job availability (174 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Boston vs Methuen?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $63,068 in Boston and $60,374 in Methuen. The Boston 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