Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Carbondale, IL: $20.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Carbondale, IL runs $20.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,665 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Carbondale's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,196 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Carbondale, IL, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $20.99, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $25.78. This disparity in earnings means that agents working part-time—say, those operating 24 hours a week over three days—might take home a modest income. Given the nature of their work, which involves fluctuating hours spent in brokerage offices, conducting property tours, and attending closings, agents often balance their working hours with personal commitments and client needs. For those beginning their careers, hourly rates can range from $14.76 at entry-level positions to $32.54 for established agents, reflecting a system where inexperienced agents may find themselves earning significantly less than what is guided by their annual salary data.
About the Carbondale 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) | $14.76 | $118.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.87 | $134.95 |
| Median (P50) | $20.99 | $167.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.87 | $214.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.54 | $260.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carbondale
Based on $20.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.99/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carbondale, IL can expect to earn approximately $43,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,188. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carbondale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carbondale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $839.61 | $3,638 | $43,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $503.76 | $2,183 | $26,196 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $335.84 | $1,455 | $17,464 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Carbondale) | $20.99 |
| 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 Carbondale, IL earn a median of $43,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.57% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $46,601.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.99/hr = $26,196/year (purchasing power: $26,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,660/year (purchasing power: $44,964).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Carbondale grew 8.0% from $19.15/hr (2019) to $20.68/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.31/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 Carbondale 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 Carbondale
Examining the earning potential reveals distinct avenues for real estate professionals in Carbondale. A part-time agent working 24 hours a week would bring in an annual income of around $26,365, contrasting sharply with their full-time counterparts who can expect greater financial rewards, especially if they leverage commission structures effectively. While per diem arrangements are uncommon within the real estate sector—most agents are paid on commissions as 1099 independent contractors—their pay can escalate significantly for high achievers earning $100-$300 per hour. Team-based agents or those affiliated with national franchises may draw salaries between $40,000 and $80,000 as a base, enhancing their overall compensation with commissions. However, agents face the challenge of negotiating the trade-offs between direct hourly pay and benefits, with some opting for lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance. These factors are critical when determining how to position oneself within the competitive market of real estate agent hourly pay in Carbondale.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Carbondale in 2026?
How much do part-time real estate agents make in Carbondale?
Are real estate agents in Carbondale paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time real estate agent make per year in Carbondale?
Do real estate agents earn more per hour working part-time in Carbondale?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Carbondale. 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 Carbondale 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