Real Estate Agent Pay

Mooresville vs Wilmington: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Mooresville, NC and Wilmington, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mooresville, NC
$46,327
$22.27/hr
Wilmington, NC
$42,894
$20.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMooresville, NCWilmington, NC
Median Salary$46,327$42,894
Hourly Rate$22.27$20.62
Entry Level (P10)$31,202$35,292
25th Percentile$36,365$36,631
75th Percentile$59,298$63,417
Top Earner (P90)$71,806$77,556
Total Employed13580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mooresville ($46,327) and Wilmington ($42,894) real estate agent salaries.MooresvilleWilmingtonMedian Salary$46,327$42,894Entry Level (P10)$31,202$35,292Top Earner (P90)$71,806$77,556US Median $53,622

Verdict

Mooresville and Wilmington are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Mooresville and Wilmington is $3,433 (8.00%). Mooresville's median is -13.60% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mooresville spans $40,604,Wilmington spans $42,264. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Mooresville
P10 (Entry)$31,202
P25$36,365
Median$46,327
P75$59,298
P90 (Top)$71,806
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$35,292
P25$36,631
Median$42,894
P75$63,417
P90 (Top)$77,556

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mooresville ($49,495 effective) pays 11.26% more than Wilmington ($44,486 effective).

Mooresville
Nominal: $46,327
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $49,495
Wilmington
Nominal: $42,894
CoL Index: 96.422
Adjusted: $44,486

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mooresville if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,327/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,495)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($77,556)
  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Mooresville grew -12.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -29.1% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Mooresville, NC

+-12.6%

$52,219 (2024) → $45,642 (2025)

Wilmington, NC

+-29.1%

$59,630 (2019) → $42,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Mooresville or Wilmington?

Mooresville has a higher median real estate agent salary at $46,327/year, compared to Wilmington at $42,894/year — a difference of $3,433 (8.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mooresville and Wilmington?

Mooresville real estate agents earn $22.27/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $20.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mooresville to Wilmington as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mooresville and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mooresville = $49,495, Wilmington = $44,486), job availability (13 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Mooresville vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $31,202 in Mooresville and $35,292 in Wilmington. The Wilmington area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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