Real Estate Agent Pay

Farmington vs Rio Rancho: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Farmington, NM and Rio Rancho, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Farmington, NM
$92,538
$44.49/hr
Rio Rancho, NM
$52,102
$25.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFarmington, NMRio Rancho, NM
Median Salary$92,538$52,102
Hourly Rate$44.49$25.05
Entry Level (P10)$61,509$31,372
25th Percentile$80,033$38,488
75th Percentile$110,960$66,691
Top Earner (P90)$155,001$80,758
Total Employed3016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Farmington ($92,538) and Rio Rancho ($52,102) real estate agent salaries.FarmingtonRio RanchoMedian Salary$92,538$52,102Entry Level (P10)$61,509$31,372Top Earner (P90)$155,001$80,758US Median $53,622

Verdict

Farmington, NM offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rio Rancho.

The salary gap between Farmington and Rio Rancho is $40,436 (77.61%). Farmington's median is +72.57% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Farmington spans $93,492,Rio Rancho spans $49,386. Farmington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Farmington
P10 (Entry)$61,509
P25$80,033
Median$92,538
P75$110,960
P90 (Top)$155,001
Rio Rancho
P10 (Entry)$31,372
P25$38,488
Median$52,102
P75$66,691
P90 (Top)$80,758

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington ($105,508 effective) pays 91.16% more than Rio Rancho ($55,193 effective).

Farmington
Nominal: $92,538
CoL Index: 87.707
Adjusted: $105,508
Rio Rancho
Nominal: $52,102
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $55,193

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Farmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,538/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($155,001)
  • Larger job market (30 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,508)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Rio Rancho if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Farmington grew 20.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -14.8% growth in Rio Rancho over the same period.

Farmington, NM

+20.9%

$75,410 (2021) → $91,170 (2025)

Rio Rancho, NM

+-14.8%

$60,241 (2024) → $51,332 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Farmington or Rio Rancho?

Farmington has a higher median real estate agent salary at $92,538/year, compared to Rio Rancho at $52,102/year — a difference of $40,436 (77.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Farmington and Rio Rancho?

Farmington real estate agents earn $44.49/hr while Rio Rancho hygienists earn $25.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Farmington to Rio Rancho as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Farmington and Rio Rancho. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Farmington = $105,508, Rio Rancho = $55,193), job availability (30 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Farmington vs Rio Rancho?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $61,509 in Farmington and $31,372 in Rio Rancho. The Farmington 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