Real Estate Agent Pay

Lafayette vs Thornton: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Lafayette, CO and Thornton, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lafayette, CO
$54,490
$26.20/hr
Thornton, CO
$57,188
$27.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLafayette, COThornton, CO
Median Salary$54,490$57,188
Hourly Rate$26.20$27.50
Entry Level (P10)$32,811$33,457
25th Percentile$43,178$41,332
75th Percentile$69,748$73,201
Top Earner (P90)$84,460$88,642
Total Employed734
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lafayette ($54,490) and Thornton ($57,188) real estate agent salaries.LafayetteThorntonMedian Salary$54,490$57,188Entry Level (P10)$32,811$33,457Top Earner (P90)$84,460$88,642US Median $53,622

Verdict

Thornton, CO offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lafayette.

The salary gap between Lafayette and Thornton is $2,698 (4.95%). Thornton's median is +6.65% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lafayette spans $51,649,Thornton spans $55,185. Thornton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$32,811
P25$43,178
Median$54,490
P75$69,748
P90 (Top)$84,460
Thornton
P10 (Entry)$33,457
P25$41,332
Median$57,188
P75$73,201
P90 (Top)$88,642

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Thornton ($54,465 effective) pays 4.95% more than Lafayette ($51,895 effective).

Lafayette
Nominal: $54,490
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $51,895
Thornton
Nominal: $57,188
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $54,465

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lafayette if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Thornton if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,188/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,642)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,465)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Lafayette grew -32.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -32.3% growth in Thornton over the same period.

Lafayette, CO

+-32.3%

$79,262 (2024) → $53,685 (2025)

Thornton, CO

+-32.3%

$83,186 (2024) → $56,343 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Lafayette or Thornton?

Thornton has a higher median real estate agent salary at $57,188/year, compared to Lafayette at $54,490/year — a difference of $2,698 (4.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lafayette and Thornton?

Lafayette real estate agents earn $26.20/hr while Thornton hygienists earn $27.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lafayette to Thornton as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lafayette and Thornton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lafayette = $51,895, Thornton = $54,465), job availability (7 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Lafayette vs Thornton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $32,811 in Lafayette and $33,457 in Thornton. The Thornton 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