Real Estate Agent Pay

Lexington vs Nicholasville: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Lexington, KY and Nicholasville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lexington, KY
$56,292
$27.07/hr
Nicholasville, KY
$47,160
$22.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington, KYNicholasville, KY
Median Salary$56,292$47,160
Hourly Rate$27.07$22.68
Entry Level (P10)$34,946$29,716
25th Percentile$39,463$35,517
75th Percentile$77,181$60,365
Top Earner (P90)$98,201$73,098
Total Employed2006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington ($56,292) and Nicholasville ($47,160) real estate agent salaries.LexingtonNicholasvilleMedian Salary$56,292$47,160Entry Level (P10)$34,946$29,716Top Earner (P90)$98,201$73,098US Median $53,622

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nicholasville.

The salary gap between Lexington and Nicholasville is $9,132 (19.36%). Lexington's median is +4.98% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $63,255,Nicholasville spans $43,382. Lexington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lexington
P10 (Entry)$34,946
P25$39,463
Median$56,292
P75$77,181
P90 (Top)$98,201
Nicholasville
P10 (Entry)$29,716
P25$35,517
Median$47,160
P75$60,365
P90 (Top)$73,098

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($60,601 effective) pays 14.75% more than Nicholasville ($52,811 effective).

Lexington
Nominal: $56,292
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $60,601
Nicholasville
Nominal: $47,160
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $52,811

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,292/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,201)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,601)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Nicholasville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Lexington grew 47.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Nicholasville over the same period.

Lexington, KY

+47.8%

$37,530 (2019) → $55,460 (2025)

Nicholasville, KY

+1.6%

$45,733 (2024) → $46,463 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Lexington or Nicholasville?

Lexington has a higher median real estate agent salary at $56,292/year, compared to Nicholasville at $47,160/year — a difference of $9,132 (19.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Nicholasville?

Lexington real estate agents earn $27.07/hr while Nicholasville hygienists earn $22.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington to Nicholasville as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington and Nicholasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington = $60,601, Nicholasville = $52,811), job availability (200 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Lexington vs Nicholasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $34,946 in Lexington and $29,716 in Nicholasville. The Lexington 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