Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Columbus, GA: $18.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Columbus, GA runs $18.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,536 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Columbus, Georgia, the real estate agent hourly pay is projected to be $18.86 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $25.78 per hour. This disparity reflects not only the local market conditions but also the nature of the work, where agents often juggle multiple roles, including office tasks, property showings, and closing meetings. For part-time agents working three days a week, the hourly rate translates to a flexible work schedule that can accommodate client property tours and listing presentations. Entries to the field can expect pay starting at around $12.80 per hour, while the most successful agents in Columbus can earn as much as $41.29, demonstrating the potential for income variation based on experience and market performance. The competition and commission-based structure mean that real estate agents often have diverse working scenarios, including mobile work that allows for greater freedom.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.80 | $102.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.17 | $121.39 |
| Median (P50) | $18.86 | $150.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.60 | $228.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.29 | $330.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $18.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.86/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, GA can expect to earn approximately $39,226 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,630. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $754.35 | $3,269 | $39,226 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $452.61 | $1,961 | $23,536 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $301.74 | $1,308 | $15,690 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Columbus) | $18.86 |
| Real Estate Broker (National Avg) | $42.96 |
| Insurance Sales Agent (National Avg) | $29.02 |
| Property / Real Estate Manager (National Avg) | $33.79 |
| Appraiser / Assessor of Real Estate (National Avg) | $37.18 |
Real Estate Agents in Columbus, GA earn a median of $39,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.86% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 16.80% below the Georgia state average of $47,139.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.86/hr = $23,536/year (purchasing power: $26,357).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,226/year (purchasing power: $43,928).
CoL index: 89.296 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Columbus grew -2.2% from $18.99/hr (2019) to $18.58/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.14/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem real estate agents can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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.
Working as an Hourly Real Estate Agent in Columbus
Analyzing the earning potential highlights the divergent realities for part-time versus full-time real estate agents. A part-time agent working 24 hours a week would take home significantly less than a full-time peer, often facing challenges due to the commission-based nature of the industry. While some agents might operate on a commission-split model, which can yield higher effective hourly wages for seasoned professionals—potentially hitting $100 to $300 per hour for top producers—new agents can find themselves with rates that barely meet minimum wage when accounting for unpaid hours spent on marketing or client acquisition. The type of brokerage also influences pay; national franchises might offer more consistent income through training programs, while independent firms often provide higher commission splits without attached benefits. Agents need to weigh the trade-offs of slightly lower hourly rates for valuable health insurance and perks that larger brokerages offer. Engaging in transparent negotiations around commission structures and expectations can elevate a real estate agent's career in Columbus, ensuring that they are compensated fairly for their workload.
More salary data for Columbus, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for real estate agents in Columbus. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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