Real Estate Agent Pay

Pinehurst vs Wilmington: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Pinehurst, NC
$44,640
$21.46/hr
Wilmington, NC
$42,894
$20.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPinehurst, NCWilmington, NC
Median Salary$44,640$42,894
Hourly Rate$21.46$20.62
Entry Level (P10)$30,454$35,292
25th Percentile$35,286$36,631
75th Percentile$57,138$63,417
Top Earner (P90)$69,192$77,556
Total Employed4580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pinehurst ($44,640) and Wilmington ($42,894) real estate agent salaries.PinehurstWilmingtonMedian Salary$44,640$42,894Entry Level (P10)$30,454$35,292Top Earner (P90)$69,192$77,556US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Pinehurst and Wilmington is $1,746 (4.07%). Pinehurst's median is -16.75% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pinehurst spans $38,738,Wilmington spans $42,264. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Pinehurst
P10 (Entry)$30,454
P25$35,286
Median$44,640
P75$57,138
P90 (Top)$69,192
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, Pinehurst ($47,692 effective) pays 7.21% more than Wilmington ($44,486 effective).

Pinehurst
Nominal: $44,640
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $47,692
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 Pinehurst if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,640/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,692)
  • 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 Pinehurst grew -17.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -29.1% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Pinehurst, NC

+-17.4%

$53,230 (2024) → $43,980 (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: Pinehurst or Wilmington?

Pinehurst has a higher median real estate agent salary at $44,640/year, compared to Wilmington at $42,894/year — a difference of $1,746 (4.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pinehurst and Wilmington?

Pinehurst real estate agents earn $21.46/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $20.62/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pinehurst and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pinehurst = $47,692, Wilmington = $44,486), job availability (4 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $30,454 in Pinehurst 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