Real Estate Agent Pay

Meriden vs Waterbury: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Meriden, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Meriden, CT
$57,122
$27.47/hr
Waterbury, CT
$57,813
$27.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMeriden, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$57,122$57,813
Hourly Rate$27.47$27.79
Entry Level (P10)$37,890$36,820
25th Percentile$44,546$44,097
75th Percentile$73,117$74,002
Top Earner (P90)$88,539$89,610
Total Employed1222
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Meriden ($57,122) and Waterbury ($57,813) real estate agent salaries.MeridenWaterburyMedian Salary$57,122$57,813Entry Level (P10)$37,890$36,820Top Earner (P90)$88,539$89,610US Median $53,622

Verdict

Waterbury, CT offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Meriden.

The salary gap between Meriden and Waterbury is $691 (1.21%). Waterbury's median is +7.82% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Meriden spans $50,649,Waterbury spans $52,790. Waterbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Meriden
P10 (Entry)$37,890
P25$44,546
Median$57,122
P75$73,117
P90 (Top)$88,539
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$36,820
P25$44,097
Median$57,813
P75$74,002
P90 (Top)$89,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waterbury ($53,580 effective) pays 1.21% more than Meriden ($52,940 effective).

Meriden
Nominal: $57,122
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $52,940
Waterbury
Nominal: $57,813
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $53,580

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Meriden if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,813/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,610)
  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,580)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Meriden grew -32.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 55.0% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

Meriden, CT

+-32.3%

$83,090 (2024) → $56,278 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+55.0%

$36,740 (2020) → $56,959 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Meriden or Waterbury?

Waterbury has a higher median real estate agent salary at $57,813/year, compared to Meriden at $57,122/year — a difference of $691 (1.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Meriden and Waterbury?

Meriden real estate agents earn $27.47/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $27.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Meriden to Waterbury as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Meriden and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Meriden = $52,940, Waterbury = $53,580), job availability (12 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Meriden vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $37,890 in Meriden and $36,820 in Waterbury. The Meriden 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