Real Estate Agent Pay

Columbus vs Omaha: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Columbus, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, NE
$45,816
$22.03/hr
Omaha, NE
$47,949
$23.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$45,816$47,949
Hourly Rate$22.03$23.05
Entry Level (P10)$32,030$34,896
25th Percentile$36,634$39,057
75th Percentile$58,645$48,212
Top Earner (P90)$71,014$85,879
Total Employed4860
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($45,816) and Omaha ($47,949) real estate agent salaries.ColumbusOmahaMedian Salary$45,816$47,949Entry Level (P10)$32,030$34,896Top Earner (P90)$71,014$85,879US Median $53,622

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Columbus and Omaha is $2,133 (4.66%). Omaha's median is -10.58% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $38,984,Omaha spans $50,983. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$32,030
P25$36,634
Median$45,816
P75$58,645
P90 (Top)$71,014
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$34,896
P25$39,057
Median$47,949
P75$48,212
P90 (Top)$85,879

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($52,169 effective) pays 4.19% more than Columbus ($50,072 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $45,816
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $50,072
Omaha
Nominal: $47,949
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $52,169

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,879)
  • Larger job market (860 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,169)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Columbus grew -14.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.2% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Columbus, NE

+-14.8%

$52,974 (2024) → $45,139 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+6.2%

$44,490 (2019) → $47,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Columbus or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median real estate agent salary at $47,949/year, compared to Columbus at $45,816/year — a difference of $2,133 (4.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Omaha?

Columbus real estate agents earn $22.03/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $23.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Omaha as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $50,072, Omaha = $52,169), job availability (4 vs 860 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Columbus vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $32,030 in Columbus and $34,896 in Omaha. The Omaha 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