Real Estate Agent Pay

Portland vs South Portland: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Portland, ME and South Portland, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, ME
$57,784
$27.78/hr
South Portland, ME
$57,536
$27.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, MESouth Portland, ME
Median Salary$57,784$57,536
Hourly Rate$27.78$27.66
Entry Level (P10)$31,384$38,958
25th Percentile$33,688$44,173
75th Percentile$95,105$73,646
Top Earner (P90)$115,842$89,181
Total Employed4904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($57,784) and South Portland ($57,536) real estate agent salaries.PortlandSouth PortlandMedian Salary$57,784$57,536Entry Level (P10)$31,384$38,958Top Earner (P90)$115,842$89,181US Median $53,622

Verdict

Portland, ME offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Portland.

The salary gap between Portland and South Portland is $248 (0.43%). Portland's median is +7.76% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $84,458,South Portland spans $50,223. Portland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$31,384
P25$33,688
Median$57,784
P75$95,105
P90 (Top)$115,842
South Portland
P10 (Entry)$38,958
P25$44,173
Median$57,536
P75$73,646
P90 (Top)$89,181

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, South Portland ($57,767 effective) pays 1.83% more than Portland ($56,730 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $57,784
CoL Index: 101.858
Adjusted: $56,730
South Portland
Nominal: $57,536
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $57,767

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,784/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,842)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose South Portland if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,767)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Portland grew 34.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.0% growth in South Portland over the same period.

Portland, ME

+34.5%

$42,330 (2019) → $56,930 (2025)

South Portland, ME

+-5.0%

$59,643 (2024) → $56,686 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Portland or South Portland?

Portland has a higher median real estate agent salary at $57,784/year, compared to South Portland at $57,536/year — a difference of $248 (0.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and South Portland?

Portland real estate agents earn $27.78/hr while South Portland hygienists earn $27.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to South Portland as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and South Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $56,730, South Portland = $57,767), job availability (490 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Portland vs South Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $31,384 in Portland and $38,958 in South Portland. The South Portland 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