Real Estate Agent Pay

Bowling Green vs Lexington: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$39,341
$18.91/hr
Lexington, KY
$56,292
$27.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$39,341$56,292
Hourly Rate$18.91$27.07
Entry Level (P10)$29,130$34,946
25th Percentile$39,341$39,463
75th Percentile$59,641$77,181
Top Earner (P90)$73,486$98,201
Total Employed40200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($39,341) and Lexington ($56,292) real estate agent salaries.Bowling GreenLexingtonMedian Salary$39,341$56,292Entry Level (P10)$29,130$34,946Top Earner (P90)$73,486$98,201US Median $53,622

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Lexington is $16,951 (43.09%). Lexington's median is +4.98% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $44,356,Lexington spans $63,255. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$29,130
P25$39,341
Median$39,341
P75$59,641
P90 (Top)$73,486
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$34,946
P25$39,463
Median$56,292
P75$77,181
P90 (Top)$98,201

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($60,601 effective) pays 38.91% more than Bowling Green ($43,625 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $39,341
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $43,625
Lexington
Nominal: $56,292
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $60,601

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,292/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,201)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,601)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Bowling Green grew 30.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 47.8% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+30.5%

$29,700 (2019) → $38,760 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+47.8%

$37,530 (2019) → $55,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Bowling Green or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median real estate agent salary at $56,292/year, compared to Bowling Green at $39,341/year — a difference of $16,951 (43.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Lexington?

Bowling Green real estate agents earn $18.91/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $27.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Lexington as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $43,625, Lexington = $60,601), job availability (40 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Bowling Green vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $29,130 in Bowling Green and $34,946 in Lexington. The Lexington 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