Real Estate Agent Pay

Rochester vs Winona: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Rochester, MN
$47,878
$23.02/hr
Winona, MN
$43,045
$20.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, MNWinona, MN
Median Salary$47,878$43,045
Hourly Rate$23.02$20.70
Entry Level (P10)$35,149$27,998
25th Percentile$42,640$33,022
75th Percentile$63,356$55,098
Top Earner (P90)$132,153$66,720
Total Employed804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($47,878) and Winona ($43,045) real estate agent salaries.RochesterWinonaMedian Salary$47,878$43,045Entry Level (P10)$35,149$27,998Top Earner (P90)$132,153$66,720US Median $53,622

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Winona.

The salary gap between Rochester and Winona is $4,833 (11.23%). Rochester's median is -10.71% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $97,004,Winona spans $38,722. Rochester has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$35,149
P25$42,640
Median$47,878
P75$63,356
P90 (Top)$132,153
Winona
P10 (Entry)$27,998
P25$33,022
Median$43,045
P75$55,098
P90 (Top)$66,720

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($52,717 effective) pays 20.63% more than Winona ($43,701 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $47,878
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $52,717
Winona
Nominal: $43,045
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $43,701

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,878/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,153)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,717)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Winona if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Rochester grew -15.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -33.2% growth in Winona over the same period.

Rochester, MN

+-15.9%

$56,110 (2019) → $47,170 (2025)

Winona, MN

+-33.2%

$63,476 (2024) → $42,409 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rochester has a higher median real estate agent salary at $47,878/year, compared to Winona at $43,045/year — a difference of $4,833 (11.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Winona?

Rochester real estate agents earn $23.02/hr while Winona hygienists earn $20.70/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Winona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $52,717, Winona = $43,701), job availability (80 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $35,149 in Rochester and $27,998 in Winona. The Rochester 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