Real Estate Agent Pay

Greenville vs Hilton Head Island: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Greenville, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$49,411
$23.75/hr
Hilton Head Island, SC
$77,972
$37.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCHilton Head Island, SC
Median Salary$49,411$77,972
Hourly Rate$23.75$37.49
Entry Level (P10)$30,403$40,153
25th Percentile$36,754$51,948
75th Percentile$63,247$103,743
Top Earner (P90)$76,588$198,818
Total Employed10420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($49,411) and Hilton Head Island ($77,972) real estate agent salaries.GreenvilleHilton Head IslandMedian Salary$49,411$77,972Entry Level (P10)$30,403$40,153Top Earner (P90)$76,588$198,818US Median $53,622

Verdict

Hilton Head Island, SC offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenville.

The salary gap between Greenville and Hilton Head Island is $28,561 (57.80%). Hilton Head Island's median is +45.41% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $46,185,Hilton Head Island spans $158,665. Hilton Head Island has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$30,403
P25$36,754
Median$49,411
P75$63,247
P90 (Top)$76,588
Hilton Head Island
P10 (Entry)$40,153
P25$51,948
Median$77,972
P75$103,743
P90 (Top)$198,818

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hilton Head Island ($79,549 effective) pays 47.31% more than Greenville ($54,001 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $49,411
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $54,001
Hilton Head Island
Nominal: $77,972
CoL Index: 98.017
Adjusted: $79,549

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Hilton Head Island if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,972/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($198,818)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,549)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Greenville grew 5.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 91.7% growth in Hilton Head Island over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+5.8%

$46,030 (2019) → $48,681 (2025)

Hilton Head Island, SC

+91.7%

$40,080 (2019) → $76,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Greenville or Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island has a higher median real estate agent salary at $77,972/year, compared to Greenville at $49,411/year — a difference of $28,561 (57.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Hilton Head Island?

Greenville real estate agents earn $23.75/hr while Hilton Head Island hygienists earn $37.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Hilton Head Island as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Hilton Head Island. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $54,001, Hilton Head Island = $79,549), job availability (10 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Greenville vs Hilton Head Island?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $30,403 in Greenville and $40,153 in Hilton Head Island. The Hilton Head Island 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