Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $22.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Merrillville, IN runs $22.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,046 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,223 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in Merrillville, Indiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $22.61, which falls short of the national median of $25.78. This discrepancy may reflect the local market's cost of living, which is below the national average. For agents working part-time, such as those operating three days a week, this hourly rate translates to approximately $1,083 per month, highlighting the potential financial challenges of sustaining a consistent income in a commission-based industry. The hourly wage range varies significantly, from $14.47 for entry-level agents to about $35.06 for top earners. This range allows for flexibility in job settings, including brokerage office desks, property tour appointments, and remote work options, which can influence an agent’s potential earnings depending on their availability and work environment.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.47 | $115.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.17 | $137.39 |
| Median (P50) | $22.61 | $180.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.95 | $231.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.06 | $280.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $22.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.61/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $47,038 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,137. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $904.57 | $3,920 | $47,038 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $542.74 | $2,352 | $28,223 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.83 | $1,568 | $18,815 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Merrillville) | $22.61 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $47,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $49,058.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.61/hr = $28,223/year (purchasing power: $30,912).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,038/year (purchasing power: $51,520).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Merrillville grew 8.0% from $20.64/hr (2019) to $22.28/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.95/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
For agents pursuing part-time positions, working 24 hours per week yields a considerably lower annual income than full-time professionals who immerse themselves in the competitive real estate market. Given that most earnings are commission-based and operate under 1099 contractor obligations, per diem real estate agent pay in Merrillville is not typical and often complicates the standard compensation structure. Successful agents at the upper echelon can command hourly rates between $100 and $300, but new entrants may see compensation dip below minimum wage when factoring in unpaid tasks like prospecting. Furthermore, hourly rates can differ across firm types—national franchises may provide more stability and benefits, while independent brokerages could offer higher commissions but less security. Understanding these dynamics is essential for negotiating pay and determining the right path, whether as a solo agent or within a team after the 2024 NAR settlement altered traditional commission structures.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for real estate agents in Merrillville in 2026?
How much do part-time real estate agents make in Merrillville?
Are real estate agents in Merrillville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time real estate agent make per year in Merrillville?
Do real estate agents earn more per hour working part-time in Merrillville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 Merrillville. 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 Merrillville 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