Entry-Level Real Estate Agent Salary in Billings, MT: $66,249 (2026)
Quick Answer:New real estate agents entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,249 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 41-9022, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,835 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($82,550) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the real estate field in Billings, MT, can expect a starting salary of approximately $66,249, a figure that may feel modest compared to the city's median annual income for real estate agents set at $82,550. This gap illustrates the natural progression many can anticipate as they gain experience and build their local client base. Entry-level agents can realistically expect to see their earnings align more closely with the median as they advance from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile within the first three to five years of their careers, potentially reaching $70,461 as they become more established in the market. Currently, Billings presents a supportive environment for new graduates, characterized by a lower cost of living index (93.526 compared to the national average of 100), thereby allowing newcomers to stretch their entry-level pay further than might be expected in higher-cost cities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Entry-level real estate agents in Billings, MT typically start between $66,249 and $70,461 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,837 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $82,550 — 53.95% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average real estate program cost in Montana of $1,500 represents just 2.26% of the starting real estate agent pay ($66,249/year) in Billings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Cost estimates include state-mandated pre-licensing courses, exam fees, background checks, initial license, and MLS/NAR dues. Agents typically pay for business expenses themselves. Brokers require additional experience and post-licensing education.
REA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level real estate agent pay ranges from $66,249 to $70,461, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the real estate field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Real Estate Agent Compensation Range
The real estate agent wage spread in Billings is $47,837 ( 72.21%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,249, experienced hygienists can earn up to $114,086.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,790
2025 BLS Actual
$65,270
2026 Current Est.
$66,249
2019–2027 Growth
+111.5%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,249 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,243 | Projected |
Entry-level real estate agent compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 105.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,790 in 2019 to $65,270 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,243. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your real estate Career in Billings
Focal points for potential employers in Billings often include national franchises like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker, which actively recruit new agents and offer structured training alongside mentorship in exchange for commission splits. Many new agents find themselves working as buyer's agents on teams, benefiting from a salary plus bonus structure while they develop their skills. To improve starting pay, aspiring agents should look into attaining their state real estate sales license, which requires 60-180 hours of coursework and passing a state exam. Additionally, pursuing designations like the NAR REALTOR® accreditation or the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) can provide an edge in the competitive real estate market. In this evolving landscape shaped by the post-2024 NAR settlement, where commission models are shifting, agents should be prepared for a commission-based structure as 1099 independent contractors. Realistic salary growth in the first three years can lead new agents to increasingly lucrative opportunities, particularly as they navigate the stark reality where the top 20% of performers earn most of the commissions while actively engaging in a highly competitive sector.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new real estate graduates. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for real estate agents (SOC 41-9022).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov