Real Estate Agent Pay

Poughkeepsie vs Rochester: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Poughkeepsie, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Poughkeepsie, NY
$96,786
$46.53/hr
Rochester, NY
$89,635
$43.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPoughkeepsie, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$96,786$89,635
Hourly Rate$46.53$43.10
Entry Level (P10)$60,693$46,446
25th Percentile$72,881$87,929
75th Percentile$123,887$111,782
Top Earner (P90)$150,019$201,244
Total Employed5270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Poughkeepsie ($96,786) and Rochester ($89,635) real estate agent salaries.PoughkeepsieRochesterMedian Salary$96,786$89,635Entry Level (P10)$60,693$46,446Top Earner (P90)$150,019$201,244US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Poughkeepsie and Rochester is $7,151 (7.98%). Poughkeepsie's median is +80.50% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Poughkeepsie spans $89,326,Rochester spans $154,798. Rochester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Poughkeepsie
P10 (Entry)$60,693
P25$72,881
Median$96,786
P75$123,887
P90 (Top)$150,019
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$46,446
P25$87,929
Median$89,635
P75$111,782
P90 (Top)$201,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($92,374 effective) pays 10.62% more than Poughkeepsie ($83,508 effective).

Poughkeepsie
Nominal: $96,786
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $83,508
Rochester
Nominal: $89,635
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $92,374

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Poughkeepsie if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,786/year)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($201,244)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,374)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Poughkeepsie grew -12.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.8% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Poughkeepsie, NY

+-12.1%

$108,447 (2024) → $95,356 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+20.8%

$73,100 (2019) → $88,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Poughkeepsie or Rochester?

Poughkeepsie has a higher median real estate agent salary at $96,786/year, compared to Rochester at $89,635/year — a difference of $7,151 (7.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Poughkeepsie and Rochester?

Poughkeepsie real estate agents earn $46.53/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $43.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Poughkeepsie to Rochester as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Poughkeepsie and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Poughkeepsie = $83,508, Rochester = $92,374), job availability (5 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Poughkeepsie vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $60,693 in Poughkeepsie and $46,446 in Rochester. The Poughkeepsie 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