Real Estate Agent Pay

Calumet City vs Chicago: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Calumet City, IL
$44,209
$21.25/hr
Chicago, IL
$62,717
$30.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCalumet City, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$44,209$62,717
Hourly Rate$21.25$30.16
Entry Level (P10)$28,802$38,052
25th Percentile$33,950$42,468
75th Percentile$56,588$62,717
Top Earner (P90)$68,525$75,080
Total Employed75,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Calumet City ($44,209) and Chicago ($62,717) real estate agent salaries.Calumet CityChicagoMedian Salary$44,209$62,717Entry Level (P10)$28,802$38,052Top Earner (P90)$68,525$75,080US Median $53,622

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Calumet City.

The salary gap between Calumet City and Chicago is $18,508 (41.86%). Chicago's median is +16.96% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Calumet City spans $39,723,Chicago spans $37,028. Calumet City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Calumet City
P10 (Entry)$28,802
P25$33,950
Median$44,209
P75$56,588
P90 (Top)$68,525
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$38,052
P25$42,468
Median$62,717
P75$62,717
P90 (Top)$75,080

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($60,541 effective) pays 32.97% more than Calumet City ($45,529 effective).

Calumet City
Nominal: $44,209
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $45,529
Chicago
Nominal: $62,717
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $60,541

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Calumet City if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,717/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,080)
  • Larger job market (5,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,541)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Calumet City grew -30.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 103.1% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Calumet City, IL

+-30.4%

$62,615 (2024) → $43,556 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+103.1%

$30,430 (2019) → $61,790 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Calumet City or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median real estate agent salary at $62,717/year, compared to Calumet City at $44,209/year — a difference of $18,508 (41.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Calumet City and Chicago?

Calumet City real estate agents earn $21.25/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $30.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Calumet City to Chicago as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Calumet City and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Calumet City = $45,529, Chicago = $60,541), job availability (7 vs 5,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Calumet City vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $28,802 in Calumet City and $38,052 in Chicago. The Chicago 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