Entry-Level Real Estate Agent Salary in Rome, NY: $45,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:New real estate agents entering the Rome, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,338 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 41-9022, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rome's local price level (BEA RPP 115.9 — 16% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,118 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,513) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an entry-level real estate agent salary in Rome, NY, projected at $45,338 for 2026, new graduates can enter the industry with a clear understanding of their financial outlook. This starting pay represents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $67,513. However, the trajectory for growth is promising; as agents gain experience, salaries can rise to $52,845 at the 25th percentile. For those starting their careers in this market, Rome offers a favorable environment, characterized by manageable competition and opportunities for mentorship, especially within established agency franchises. Therefore, recent graduates can expect to build a stable foundation in their first few years before moving toward more lucrative positions.
About the Rome Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rome
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 Rome
Entry-level real estate agents in Rome, NY typically start between $45,338 and $52,845 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,306 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,513 — 25.91% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average real estate program cost in New York of $4,000 represents just 8.82% of the starting real estate agent pay ($45,338/year) in Rome. 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 Rome
- 1Research the Rome market: entry-level real estate agent pay ranges from $45,338 to $52,845, 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 NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rome, 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 Rome for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Rome's above-average cost of living (index: 115.9) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Real Estate Agent Compensation Range
The real estate agent wage spread in Rome is $59,306 ( 130.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,338, experienced hygienists can earn up to $104,644.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,775
2025 BLS Actual
$44,668
2026 Current Est.
$45,338
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Rome (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,775 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,555 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,668 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,018 | Projected |
Entry-level real estate agent compensation (10th percentile) in Rome, NY grew 32.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,775 in 2019 to $44,668 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $46,018. New graduates entering the Rome job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rome 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 Rome
In Rome, several national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Coldwell Banker actively recruit new agents, typically providing structured training alongside mentorship programs. These firms often favor team-based operations that allow early-career agents to ease into roles as buyer's agents, often through a combination of salary plus bonuses. To boost their starting pay, new graduates should focus on acquiring essential credentials such as the state real estate sales license, which requires completing 60-180 hours of pre-licensing courses and passing the state exam. The competitive nature of real estate following the 2024 NAR commission settlement means that many agents operate as 1099 independent contractors, needing to be strategic in their commission splits with brokerages. Realistic salary growth expectations over the first three years would involve moving beyond entry-level earnings into mid-tier positions as agents carve their niches within the industry, especially in residential markets while being aware that commercial real estate demands longer cycles of training and larger transactions.
More salary data for Rome, NY:
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 Rome. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rome is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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