Real Estate Agent Pay

Rapid City vs Yankton: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Rapid City, SD and Yankton, SD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rapid City, SD
$46,964
$22.58/hr
Yankton, SD
$47,833
$23.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRapid City, SDYankton, SD
Median Salary$46,964$47,833
Hourly Rate$22.58$23.00
Entry Level (P10)$46,588$31,747
25th Percentile$46,629$37,015
75th Percentile$46,964$61,226
Top Earner (P90)$75,029$74,141
Total Employed1604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rapid City ($46,964) and Yankton ($47,833) real estate agent salaries.Rapid CityYanktonMedian Salary$46,964$47,833Entry Level (P10)$46,588$31,747Top Earner (P90)$75,029$74,141US Median $53,622

Verdict

Rapid City and Yankton are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Rapid City and Yankton is $869 (1.85%). Yankton's median is -10.80% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rapid City spans $28,441,Yankton spans $42,394. Yankton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Rapid City
P10 (Entry)$46,588
P25$46,629
Median$46,964
P75$46,964
P90 (Top)$75,029
Yankton
P10 (Entry)$31,747
P25$37,015
Median$47,833
P75$61,226
P90 (Top)$74,141

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rapid City ($52,674 effective) pays 2.19% more than Yankton ($51,544 effective).

Rapid City
Nominal: $46,964
CoL Index: 89.16
Adjusted: $52,674
Yankton
Nominal: $47,833
CoL Index: 92.8
Adjusted: $51,544

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rapid City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($75,029)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,674)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Yankton if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,833/year)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Rapid City grew -14.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.6% growth in Yankton over the same period.

Rapid City, SD

+-14.3%

$53,970 (2019) → $46,270 (2025)

Yankton, SD

+1.6%

$46,386 (2024) → $47,126 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Rapid City or Yankton?

Yankton has a higher median real estate agent salary at $47,833/year, compared to Rapid City at $46,964/year — a difference of $869 (1.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rapid City and Yankton?

Rapid City real estate agents earn $22.58/hr while Yankton hygienists earn $23.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rapid City to Yankton as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rapid City and Yankton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rapid City = $52,674, Yankton = $51,544), job availability (160 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Rapid City vs Yankton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $46,588 in Rapid City and $31,747 in Yankton. The Rapid City 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