Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $21.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Elmhurst, IL runs $21.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,101 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,462 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Elmhurst, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for real estate agents in 2026 stands at $21.20, which is notably lower than the national median of $25.78. This disparity can impact part-time and per-diem workers in the field, where agents might work in flexible schedules involving client property tours, listing presentations, or even remote consultations. With an hourly range from $13.73 for entry-level positions to $32.87 for high earners, agents have potential pathways that can vary significantly based on experience and workload. Most hourly estimates are drawn from annual salary data, reflective of the sector’s reliance on commission-based income, thus emphasizing the variable nature of earnings within this profession.
About the Elmhurst 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) | $13.73 | $109.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.22 | $129.76 |
| Median (P50) | $21.20 | $169.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.14 | $217.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.87 | $262.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $21.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.20/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $44,103 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,444. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $848.13 | $3,675 | $44,103 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $508.88 | $2,205 | $26,462 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $339.25 | $1,470 | $17,641 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Elmhurst) | $21.20 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $44,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.76% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $46,618.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.20/hr = $26,462/year (purchasing power: $27,252).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,103/year (purchasing power: $45,420).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Elmhurst grew 8.0% from $19.35/hr (2019) to $20.89/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.52/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
When considering part-time work, a real estate agent in Elmhurst who operates three days a week, or 24 hours, could expect to earn about $26,080 annually, a stark contrast to the income from full-time work. As most real estate agents operate under a commission structure, the idea of per diem real estate agent pay in Elmhurst is uncommon, with the compensation for top producers potentially reaching $100 to $300 per hour during peak transactions. New agents in their introductory years may find their effective hourly earnings fall below minimum wage when unpaid prospecting and training hours are factored in. Varying employer types, from national franchises to local independents and luxury specialists, can impact the hourly pay structure. Some agents might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, which is often a trade-off between immediate cash flow and long-term security. To maximize earnings, effective negotiation strategies tailored to Elmhurst’s market conditions are essential, particularly in a post-2024 environment with shifting commission norms.
More salary data for Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst. 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 Elmhurst 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