Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $22.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $22.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,878 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,526 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Arlington Heights, Illinois, the projected real estate agent hourly pay for 2026 stands at $22.06, which is notably lower than the national median of $25.78. This median hourly rate indicates the financial landscape for real estate professionals in the area, where agents often juggle full-time and part-time schedules. A conventional part-time arrangement of three days a week could equate to approximately 24 hours of work, reflecting a flexible workstyle commonly found in brokerage offices, during property showings, and at listing presentations. Hourly earnings among real estate agents can range from $14.51 for entry-level positions to $34.19 for those at the top end of the spectrum, shaping a diverse environment where hourly rates are reflective of experience and market demand.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.51 | $116.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.11 | $136.90 |
| Median (P50) | $22.06 | $176.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.24 | $225.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.19 | $273.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights
Based on $22.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.06/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $45,876 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,467. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $882.24 | $3,823 | $45,876 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $529.34 | $2,294 | $27,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.90 | $1,529 | $18,351 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Arlington Heights) | $22.06 |
| 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 Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $45,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.44% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $46,624.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.06/hr = $27,526/year (purchasing power: $28,348).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,876/year (purchasing power: $47,247).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Arlington Heights grew 8.0% from $20.13/hr (2019) to $21.73/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.39/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 Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights
Evaluating the prospects for part-time agents in Arlington Heights reveals that those working 24 hours a week will earn significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. With a largely commission-based structure, many agents operate as 1099 independent contractors, contributing to an hourly equivalent for top producers reaching between $100 and $300. Newer agents, particularly in their first one or two years, may see their effective hourly rate fall below state minimum wage when factoring in unpaid hours spent on prospecting. Various brokerage types influence these earnings; national franchises may offer more structured opportunities, while local independents might present higher commission splits but fewer resources. Agents often face trade-offs, choosing between higher hourly pay without benefits versus lower rates accompanied by health coverage. For those embarking on this career in Arlington Heights, strong negotiation skills can be beneficial, especially regarding commission splits and working arrangements.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
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
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 Arlington Heights. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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