Real Estate Agent Pay

Champaign vs Springfield: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Champaign, IL
$38,793
$18.66/hr
Springfield, IL
$44,690
$21.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChampaign, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$38,793$44,690
Hourly Rate$18.66$21.49
Entry Level (P10)$31,668$31,668
25th Percentile$34,693$34,622
75th Percentile$58,241$69,903
Top Earner (P90)$97,410$97,663
Total Employed13080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Champaign ($38,793) and Springfield ($44,690) real estate agent salaries.ChampaignSpringfieldMedian Salary$38,793$44,690Entry Level (P10)$31,668$31,668Top Earner (P90)$97,410$97,663US Median $53,622

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Champaign.

The salary gap between Champaign and Springfield is $5,897 (15.20%). Springfield's median is -16.66% 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,Springfield spans $65,995. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Champaign
P10 (Entry)$31,668
P25$34,693
Median$38,793
P75$58,241
P90 (Top)$97,410
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$31,668
P25$34,622
Median$44,690
P75$69,903
P90 (Top)$97,663

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($48,186 effective) pays 15.15% more than Champaign ($41,846 effective).

Champaign
Nominal: $38,793
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $41,846
Springfield
Nominal: $44,690
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $48,186

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Champaign if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,690/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,663)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,186)
  • 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 33.3% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Champaign, IL

+3.9%

$36,790 (2019) → $38,220 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+33.3%

$33,030 (2020) → $44,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Springfield has a higher median real estate agent salary at $44,690/year, compared to Champaign at $38,793/year — a difference of $5,897 (15.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Champaign and Springfield?

Champaign real estate agents earn $18.66/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $21.49/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Champaign and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Champaign = $41,846, Springfield = $48,186), job availability (130 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $31,668 in Champaign and $31,668 in Springfield. The Springfield 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