Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Palatine, IL: $22.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Palatine, IL runs $22.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,712 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Palatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,033 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palatine, Illinois, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $22.46, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $25.78. This rate reflects the economic dynamics of the local market and presents both opportunities and challenges for part-time workers and those seeking per-diem positions. For an agent working a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, translating that hourly rate to fieldwork — whether at brokerage offices, client property tours, or closing tables — can yield a flexible earning potential. The hourly pay range for agents in Palatine spans from $13.54 for those just starting out to $34.81 for top earners, illustrating a vast difference in salaries as agents gain experience and build their client bases. These estimates originate from annual salary figures, projecting how agents structure their work schedules around client needs and market demands.
About the Palatine 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) | $13.54 | $108.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.56 | $132.52 |
| Median (P50) | $22.46 | $179.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.74 | $229.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.81 | $278.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palatine
Based on $22.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.46/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palatine, IL can expect to earn approximately $46,721 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,954. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Palatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $898.48 | $3,893 | $46,721 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.09 | $2,336 | $28,033 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.39 | $1,557 | $18,688 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Palatine) | $22.46 |
| 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 Palatine, IL earn a median of $46,712 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.89% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $46,619.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.46/hr = $28,033/year (purchasing power: $28,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,721/year (purchasing power: $48,116).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Palatine grew 8.0% from $20.50/hr (2019) to $22.13/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.80/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 Palatine 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 Palatine
For agents in this area, taking on part-time work rather than a full-time position can significantly change annual income expectations. Working just 24 hours a week could yield about $27,901 before taxes, while full-time agents might see much higher totals. Given the commission-based nature of real estate—most agents operate as 1099 contractors—the notion of per diem real estate agent pay in Palatine is rare, especially as top producers can command hourly equivalents between $100 and $300 for their services. Those new to the business, particularly in their first couple of years, often find the hourly equivalent falling below the minimum wage considering unpaid prospecting time. Factors affecting hourly pay include the type of brokerage: national franchises generally offer more stability and resources, while independent brokerages might provide more freedom yet less structure. Understanding these nuances not only informs negotiation strategies but also helps aspiring real estate professionals in Palatine make informed choices about their career paths.
More salary data for Palatine, 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 Palatine. 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 Palatine 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