Real Estate Agent Pay

Raleigh vs Rocky Mount: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Raleigh, NC
$50,720
$24.39/hr
Rocky Mount, NC
$42,153
$20.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCRocky Mount, NC
Median Salary$50,720$42,153
Hourly Rate$24.39$20.27
Entry Level (P10)$28,359$32,510
25th Percentile$38,692$40,214
75th Percentile$101,388$75,587
Top Earner (P90)$121,891$102,474
Total Employed2,15050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($50,720) and Rocky Mount ($42,153) real estate agent salaries.RaleighRocky MountMedian Salary$50,720$42,153Entry Level (P10)$28,359$32,510Top Earner (P90)$121,891$102,474US Median $53,622

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rocky Mount.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Rocky Mount is $8,567 (20.32%). Raleigh's median is -5.41% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $93,532,Rocky Mount spans $69,964. Raleigh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$28,359
P25$38,692
Median$50,720
P75$101,388
P90 (Top)$121,891
Rocky Mount
P10 (Entry)$32,510
P25$40,214
Median$42,153
P75$75,587
P90 (Top)$102,474

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($51,672 effective) pays 7.89% more than Rocky Mount ($47,895 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $50,720
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $51,672
Rocky Mount
Nominal: $42,153
CoL Index: 88.012
Adjusted: $47,895

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,720/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,891)
  • Larger job market (2,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,672)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Rocky Mount if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Raleigh grew 31.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.7% growth in Rocky Mount over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+31.7%

$37,930 (2019) → $49,970 (2025)

Rocky Mount, NC

+10.7%

$37,500 (2019) → $41,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Raleigh or Rocky Mount?

Raleigh has a higher median real estate agent salary at $50,720/year, compared to Rocky Mount at $42,153/year — a difference of $8,567 (20.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Rocky Mount?

Raleigh real estate agents earn $24.39/hr while Rocky Mount hygienists earn $20.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Rocky Mount as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Rocky Mount. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $51,672, Rocky Mount = $47,895), job availability (2,150 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Raleigh vs Rocky Mount?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $28,359 in Raleigh and $32,510 in Rocky Mount. The Rocky Mount area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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