Real Estate Agent Pay

Louisville vs Paducah: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Louisville, KY
$52,206
$25.10/hr
Paducah, KY
$45,514
$21.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYPaducah, KY
Median Salary$52,206$45,514
Hourly Rate$25.10$21.88
Entry Level (P10)$30,279$29,820
25th Percentile$37,587$35,075
75th Percentile$66,824$58,257
Top Earner (P90)$80,919$70,547
Total Employed1326
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($52,206) and Paducah ($45,514) real estate agent salaries.LouisvillePaducahMedian Salary$52,206$45,514Entry Level (P10)$30,279$29,820Top Earner (P90)$80,919$70,547US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Louisville and Paducah is $6,692 (14.70%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville spans $50,640,Paducah spans $40,727. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$30,279
P25$37,587
Median$52,206
P75$66,824
P90 (Top)$80,919
Paducah
P10 (Entry)$29,820
P25$35,075
Median$45,514
P75$58,257
P90 (Top)$70,547

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($58,461 effective) pays 14.70% more than Paducah ($50,968 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $52,206
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $58,461
Paducah
Nominal: $45,514
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $50,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,206/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,919)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,461)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Paducah if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Louisville grew 1.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Paducah over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+1.6%

$50,626 (2024) → $51,434 (2025)

Paducah, KY

+1.6%

$44,137 (2024) → $44,841 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Louisville or Paducah?

Louisville has a higher median real estate agent salary at $52,206/year, compared to Paducah at $45,514/year — a difference of $6,692 (14.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Paducah?

Louisville real estate agents earn $25.10/hr while Paducah hygienists earn $21.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Paducah as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Paducah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $58,461, Paducah = $50,968), job availability (132 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Louisville vs Paducah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $30,279 in Louisville and $29,820 in Paducah. The Louisville 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