Real Estate Agent Pay

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

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

Hilton Head Island, SC
$77,972
$37.49/hr
Tega Cay, SC
$45,266
$21.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHilton Head Island, SCTega Cay, SC
Median Salary$77,972$45,266
Hourly Rate$37.49$21.76
Entry Level (P10)$40,153$30,678
25th Percentile$51,948$35,526
75th Percentile$103,743$57,940
Top Earner (P90)$198,818$70,162
Total Employed4204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hilton Head Island ($77,972) and Tega Cay ($45,266) real estate agent salaries.Hilton Head IslandTega CayMedian Salary$77,972$45,266Entry Level (P10)$40,153$30,678Top Earner (P90)$198,818$70,162US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hilton Head Island and Tega Cay is $32,706 (72.25%). 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 Hilton Head Island spans $158,665,Tega Cay spans $39,484. Hilton Head Island has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hilton Head Island
P10 (Entry)$40,153
P25$51,948
Median$77,972
P75$103,743
P90 (Top)$198,818
Tega Cay
P10 (Entry)$30,678
P25$35,526
Median$45,266
P75$57,940
P90 (Top)$70,162

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hilton Head Island ($79,549 effective) pays 60.80% more than Tega Cay ($49,471 effective).

Hilton Head Island
Nominal: $77,972
CoL Index: 98.017
Adjusted: $79,549
Tega Cay
Nominal: $45,266
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $49,471

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Tega Cay if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Hilton Head Island grew 91.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in Tega Cay over the same period.

Hilton Head Island, SC

+91.7%

$40,080 (2019) → $76,820 (2025)

Tega Cay, SC

+-8.9%

$48,962 (2024) → $44,597 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hilton Head Island has a higher median real estate agent salary at $77,972/year, compared to Tega Cay at $45,266/year — a difference of $32,706 (72.25%).

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

Hilton Head Island real estate agents earn $37.49/hr while Tega Cay hygienists earn $21.76/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hilton Head Island and Tega Cay. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hilton Head Island = $79,549, Tega Cay = $49,471), job availability (420 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $40,153 in Hilton Head Island and $30,678 in Tega Cay. 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