Real Estate Agent Pay

Greenville vs Wilmington: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Greenville, NC and Wilmington, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, NC
$77,647
$37.33/hr
Wilmington, NC
$42,894
$20.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, NCWilmington, NC
Median Salary$77,647$42,894
Hourly Rate$37.33$20.62
Entry Level (P10)$36,845$35,292
25th Percentile$41,422$36,631
75th Percentile$77,647$63,417
Top Earner (P90)$77,647$77,556
Total Employed110580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($77,647) and Wilmington ($42,894) real estate agent salaries.GreenvilleWilmingtonMedian Salary$77,647$42,894Entry Level (P10)$36,845$35,292Top Earner (P90)$77,647$77,556US Median $53,622

Verdict

Greenville, NC offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilmington.

The salary gap between Greenville and Wilmington is $34,753 (81.02%). Greenville's median is +44.80% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $40,802,Wilmington spans $42,264. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$36,845
P25$41,422
Median$77,647
P75$77,647
P90 (Top)$77,647
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$35,292
P25$36,631
Median$42,894
P75$63,417
P90 (Top)$77,556

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($87,834 effective) pays 97.44% more than Wilmington ($44,486 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $77,647
CoL Index: 88.402
Adjusted: $87,834
Wilmington
Nominal: $42,894
CoL Index: 96.422
Adjusted: $44,486

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,647/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,647)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,834)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Greenville grew 155.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -29.1% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Greenville, NC

+155.8%

$29,910 (2019) → $76,500 (2025)

Wilmington, NC

+-29.1%

$59,630 (2019) → $42,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Greenville or Wilmington?

Greenville has a higher median real estate agent salary at $77,647/year, compared to Wilmington at $42,894/year — a difference of $34,753 (81.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Wilmington?

Greenville real estate agents earn $37.33/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $20.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Wilmington as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $87,834, Wilmington = $44,486), job availability (110 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Greenville vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $36,845 in Greenville and $35,292 in Wilmington. The Greenville 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