Real Estate Agent Pay

Lynchburg vs Salem: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Lynchburg, VA and Salem, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lynchburg, VA
$60,778
$29.22/hr
Salem, VA
$46,736
$22.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLynchburg, VASalem, VA
Median Salary$60,778$46,736
Hourly Rate$29.22$22.47
Entry Level (P10)$38,245$28,234
25th Percentile$43,340$37,147
75th Percentile$84,661$59,822
Top Earner (P90)$92,497$72,441
Total Employed906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lynchburg ($60,778) and Salem ($46,736) real estate agent salaries.LynchburgSalemMedian Salary$60,778$46,736Entry Level (P10)$38,245$28,234Top Earner (P90)$92,497$72,441US Median $53,622

Verdict

Lynchburg, VA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salem.

The salary gap between Lynchburg and Salem is $14,042 (30.05%). Lynchburg's median is +13.35% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lynchburg spans $54,252,Salem spans $44,207. Lynchburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lynchburg
P10 (Entry)$38,245
P25$43,340
Median$60,778
P75$84,661
P90 (Top)$92,497
Salem
P10 (Entry)$28,234
P25$37,147
Median$46,736
P75$59,822
P90 (Top)$72,441

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lynchburg ($68,012 effective) pays 50.18% more than Salem ($45,287 effective).

Lynchburg
Nominal: $60,778
CoL Index: 89.363
Adjusted: $68,012
Salem
Nominal: $46,736
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,287

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lynchburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,778/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,497)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,012)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Lynchburg grew 55.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -32.3% growth in Salem over the same period.

Lynchburg, VA

+55.9%

$38,400 (2019) → $59,880 (2025)

Salem, VA

+-32.3%

$68,041 (2024) → $46,045 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Lynchburg or Salem?

Lynchburg has a higher median real estate agent salary at $60,778/year, compared to Salem at $46,736/year — a difference of $14,042 (30.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lynchburg and Salem?

Lynchburg real estate agents earn $29.22/hr while Salem hygienists earn $22.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lynchburg to Salem as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lynchburg and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lynchburg = $68,012, Salem = $45,287), job availability (90 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Lynchburg vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $38,245 in Lynchburg and $28,234 in Salem. The Lynchburg 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