Real Estate Agent Pay

Champaign vs Lombard: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Champaign, IL
$38,793
$18.66/hr
Lombard, IL
$45,172
$21.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChampaign, ILLombard, IL
Median Salary$38,793$45,172
Hourly Rate$18.66$21.72
Entry Level (P10)$31,668$27,289
25th Percentile$34,693$35,860
75th Percentile$58,241$57,819
Top Earner (P90)$97,410$70,016
Total Employed1308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Champaign ($38,793) and Lombard ($45,172) real estate agent salaries.ChampaignLombardMedian Salary$38,793$45,172Entry Level (P10)$31,668$27,289Top Earner (P90)$97,410$70,016US Median $53,622

Verdict

Champaign and Lombard are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Champaign and Lombard is $6,379 (16.44%). Lombard's median is -15.76% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Champaign spans $65,742,Lombard spans $42,727. Champaign has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Champaign
P10 (Entry)$31,668
P25$34,693
Median$38,793
P75$58,241
P90 (Top)$97,410
Lombard
P10 (Entry)$27,289
P25$35,860
Median$45,172
P75$57,819
P90 (Top)$70,016

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lombard ($46,521 effective) pays 11.17% more than Champaign ($41,846 effective).

Champaign
Nominal: $38,793
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $41,846
Lombard
Nominal: $45,172
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $46,521

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Champaign if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,410)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Lombard if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,172/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,521)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Champaign grew 3.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -30.4% growth in Lombard over the same period.

Champaign, IL

+3.9%

$36,790 (2019) → $38,220 (2025)

Lombard, IL

+-30.4%

$63,978 (2024) → $44,504 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lombard has a higher median real estate agent salary at $45,172/year, compared to Champaign at $38,793/year — a difference of $6,379 (16.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Champaign and Lombard?

Champaign real estate agents earn $18.66/hr while Lombard hygienists earn $21.72/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Champaign and Lombard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Champaign = $41,846, Lombard = $46,521), job availability (130 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $31,668 in Champaign and $27,289 in Lombard. The Champaign area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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