Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $29.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Elgin, IL runs $29.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,292 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elgin, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for real estate agents in 2026 is $29.88, notably higher than the national median of $25.78. This competitive rate reflects a thriving local market and may make part-time work feasible for agents opting to operate only three days a week. For those such agents, working approximately 24 hours weekly could yield about $35,000 annually, depending on commissions generated. The hourly range for real estate professionals in Elgin varies significantly, from an entry-level pay of $19.02 up to $46.31 for top earners, indicating potential for substantial income growth. Agents often work in diverse environments, including brokerage offices, property tours, and client meetings, or even conduct business remotely, necessitating flexibility in their schedules.
About the Elgin 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) | $19.02 | $152.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.21 | $177.67 |
| Median (P50) | $29.88 | $239.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.26 | $306.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.31 | $370.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $29.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.88/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,858. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.26 | $5,179 | $62,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.16 | $3,108 | $37,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.11 | $2,072 | $24,861 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Elgin) | $29.88 |
| 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 Elgin, IL earn a median of $62,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.92% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 33.30% above the Illinois state average of $46,630.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.88/hr = $37,292/year (purchasing power: $38,406).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,154/year (purchasing power: $64,010).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Elgin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Elgin grew 8.0% from $27.27/hr (2019) to $29.44/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.33/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
The earning potential for part-time real estate agents can significantly vary, emphasizing the differences in commitment and income potential compared to full-time agents. While full-time agents enjoy the higher income possibilities from commissions, part-time agents often find themselves navigating the challenges of building their clientele base. Many agents operate under a 1099 structure, primarily commission-based, leading to variability in their earnings. Top producers can command hourly rates between $100 and $300, while newer agents may earn little more than minimum wage when factoring in unpaid activities like lead prospecting amidst a commission split reality post-2024 NAR settlement. The type of brokerage impacts hourly earnings substantially; national franchises typically provide different structures and stability than independent or discount brokerages, influencing the hourly rate and overall benefits package. Agents sometimes accept lower hourly pay at certain firms for associated healthcare and support, inspiring considerations on hourly structure versus benefits. Negotiating better terms can be crucial, particularly in the fluctuating environment of Elgin’s real estate market, where strategic choices can significantly affect an agent's financial outcome.
More salary data for Elgin, 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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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