Real Estate Agent Pay

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

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

Bowling Green, KY
$39,341
$18.91/hr
Paducah, KY
$45,514
$21.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYPaducah, KY
Median Salary$39,341$45,514
Hourly Rate$18.91$21.88
Entry Level (P10)$29,130$29,820
25th Percentile$39,341$35,075
75th Percentile$59,641$58,257
Top Earner (P90)$73,486$70,547
Total Employed406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($39,341) and Paducah ($45,514) real estate agent salaries.Bowling GreenPaducahMedian Salary$39,341$45,514Entry Level (P10)$29,130$29,820Top Earner (P90)$73,486$70,547US Median $53,622

Verdict

Bowling Green and Paducah are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Paducah is $6,173 (15.69%). Paducah's median is -15.12% 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,Paducah spans $40,727. Bowling Green has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$29,130
P25$39,341
Median$39,341
P75$59,641
P90 (Top)$73,486
Paducah
P10 (Entry)$29,820
P25$35,075
Median$45,514
P75$58,257
P90 (Top)$70,547

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Paducah ($50,968 effective) pays 16.83% more than Bowling Green ($43,625 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $39,341
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $43,625
Paducah
Nominal: $45,514
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $50,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($73,486)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Paducah if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,514/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,968)
  • 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 1.6% growth in Paducah over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+30.5%

$29,700 (2019) → $38,760 (2025)

Paducah, KY

+1.6%

$44,137 (2024) → $44,841 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Paducah has a higher median real estate agent salary at $45,514/year, compared to Bowling Green at $39,341/year — a difference of $6,173 (15.69%).

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

Bowling Green real estate agents earn $18.91/hr while Paducah hygienists earn $21.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Paducah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $43,625, Paducah = $50,968), job availability (40 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $29,130 in Bowling Green and $29,820 in Paducah. The Paducah 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