Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Carol Stream, IL: $21.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Carol Stream, IL runs $21.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,200 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Carol Stream's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,120 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carol Stream, Illinois, the projected median hourly rate for real estate agents in 2026 stands at $21.73, notably lower than the national median of $25.78. This disparity indicates that agents here may face financial challenges, especially in a market where client property showings and listing presentations often require flexible hours. For agents working part-time, say three days a week, the opportunity to earn through varied settings—be it brokerage offices, client visits, or remote work—can lead to substantial income, albeit shaped by their respective experience and commission structure. With an hourly range extending from $13.15 for entry-level positions to $33.69 for top earners, the income potential is diverse, capturing those just stepping into the field as well as seasoned professionals closing high-value deals in highly competitive environments.
About the Carol Stream 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) | $13.15 | $105.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.27 | $138.12 |
| Median (P50) | $21.73 | $173.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.81 | $222.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.69 | $269.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carol Stream
Based on $21.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.73/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carol Stream, IL can expect to earn approximately $45,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,077. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carol Stream.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carol Stream
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $869.25 | $3,767 | $45,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.55 | $2,260 | $27,120 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.70 | $1,507 | $18,080 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Carol Stream) | $21.73 |
| 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 Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $45,200 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $46,598.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.73/hr = $27,120/year (purchasing power: $27,930).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,201/year (purchasing power: $46,551).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Carol Stream grew 8.0% from $19.83/hr (2019) to $21.41/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.06/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 Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream
Considering the earning potential for part-time agents in Carol Stream reveals distinct scenarios. Working three days a week for a total of 24 hours, an agent might earn approximately $26,000 annually, compared to a full-time agent's income significantly impacted by commission structures and expenses. Since real estate agents often work as 1099 independent contractors, hourly rates are also influenced by commission splits, particularly in light of the anticipated changes following the 2024 NAR commission settlement, which may affect how commissions are structured. Per diem real estate agent pay in Carol Stream is less common, yet for top producers, the equivalent hourly rate could soar to between $100 and $300, contrasting starkly with the initial wages offered to newcomers who might earn less than minimum wage when accounting for their time spent on unpaid prospecting. Furthermore, the differences in compensation across various types of brokerages—from national franchises like Keller Williams to independent and luxury firms—underscore the need for agents to carefully choose their affiliations based on the trade-offs between hourly pay and the benefits offered, such as health insurance. In this evolving landscape, staying informed about negotiation strategies proves essential for maximizing hourly earnings.
More salary data for Carol Stream, 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 Carol Stream. 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 Carol Stream 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