Real Estate Agent Pay

Chicago vs Skokie: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$62,717
$30.16/hr
Skokie, IL
$45,575
$21.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILSkokie, IL
Median Salary$62,717$45,575
Hourly Rate$30.16$21.91
Entry Level (P10)$38,052$29,472
25th Percentile$42,468$34,010
75th Percentile$62,717$58,335
Top Earner (P90)$75,080$70,641
Total Employed5,10012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($62,717) and Skokie ($45,575) real estate agent salaries.ChicagoSkokieMedian Salary$62,717$45,575Entry Level (P10)$38,052$29,472Top Earner (P90)$75,080$70,641US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chicago and Skokie is $17,142 (37.61%). 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 Chicago spans $37,028,Skokie spans $41,169. Skokie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$38,052
P25$42,468
Median$62,717
P75$62,717
P90 (Top)$75,080
Skokie
P10 (Entry)$29,472
P25$34,010
Median$45,575
P75$58,335
P90 (Top)$70,641

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($60,541 effective) pays 28.98% more than Skokie ($46,936 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $62,717
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $60,541
Skokie
Nominal: $45,575
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $46,936

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Skokie if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Chicago grew 103.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -30.4% growth in Skokie over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+103.1%

$30,430 (2019) → $61,790 (2025)

Skokie, IL

+-30.4%

$64,549 (2024) → $44,901 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Chicago or Skokie?

Chicago has a higher median real estate agent salary at $62,717/year, compared to Skokie at $45,575/year — a difference of $17,142 (37.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Skokie?

Chicago real estate agents earn $30.16/hr while Skokie hygienists earn $21.91/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Skokie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $60,541, Skokie = $46,936), job availability (5,100 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $38,052 in Chicago and $29,472 in Skokie. 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