Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $23.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Rockford, IL runs $23.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,608 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,160 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Real estate agents in Rockford, Illinois, earn a median hourly rate of $23.37, which falls short of the national median of $25.78. This hourly pay can significantly affect part-time agents, particularly those who may work three days a week and navigate the typical real estate environments such as brokerage offices, client property tours, and closing appointments. With an hourly range from $15.22 for entry-level agents to $46.54 for high-earning professionals, these figures reflect the diverse earning potentials available within this dynamic profession. Such insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data projections for 2026, offering a glimpse into what can be expected in the coming year.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.22 | $121.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.08 | $136.66 |
| Median (P50) | $23.37 | $186.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.54 | $372.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.54 | $372.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $23.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.37/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $48,600 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,038. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $934.61 | $4,050 | $48,600 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $560.77 | $2,430 | $29,160 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.84 | $1,620 | $19,440 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Rockford) | $23.37 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $48,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.35% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.30% above the Illinois state average of $46,604.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.37/hr = $29,160/year (purchasing power: $31,643).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,600/year (purchasing power: $52,738).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+62.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Rockford grew 58.1% from $14.56/hr (2019) to $23.02/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.72/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time agents in Rockford reveals distinct challenges and opportunities. Working a three-day week, or roughly 24 hours, translates into a considerably lower annual income when juxtaposed against full-time work. Most agents function as independent contractors under a 1099 model, making per diem real estate agent pay Rockford largely commission-driven. The reality is that many new agents may find themselves earning hourly equivalents that dip below standard minimum wage when factoring in unpaid prospecting hours. Compensation varies across different brokerage types; larger national franchises may offer more stability, while local independents and fee-based brokerages could promise higher commission splits but lack benefits. Some agents opt for lower hourly pay to access health insurance and other benefits, acknowledging the trade-offs in their compensation and work-life balance. In a shifting landscape, particularly after the 2024 NAR commission structure modifications, agents should prioritize negotiation strategies that align with their career aspirations and financial needs.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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