Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $22.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Burlington, IA runs $22.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,545 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,931 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burlington, Iowa, real estate agents engage in a dynamic environment where the median hourly pay stands at $22.38. Compared to the national hourly median of $25.78, this figure highlights a cost-of-living adjustment reflecting the local economy. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to about $1,070 monthly, accumulating to approximately $12,840 annually before taxes. Per-diem agents primarily work during peak hours, dedicating time to property showings, client meetings, and closing discussions while remaining flexible with their schedules. The hourly compensation varies widely, as new agents might earn as little as $14.71, while established professionals can reach up to $34.68, illustrating the potential income disparities based on experience and market acumen.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.71 | $117.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.29 | $138.28 |
| Median (P50) | $22.38 | $179.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.64 | $229.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.68 | $277.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $22.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.38/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $46,552 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,857. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $895.23 | $3,879 | $46,552 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.14 | $2,328 | $27,931 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.09 | $1,552 | $18,621 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Burlington) | $22.38 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $46,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.20% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $48,484.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.38/hr = $27,931/year (purchasing power: $30,897).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,552/year (purchasing power: $51,496).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Burlington grew 8.0% from $20.42/hr (2019) to $22.05/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.72/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Focusing on the realities of being a real estate agent in Burlington reveals intriguing earning dynamics. A part-time agent working just 24 hours weekly may generate around $27,216 annually, which is significantly less than a full-time practitioner. The commission-based nature of this profession complicates traditional hourly earnings further; many real estate professionals are classified as 1099 independent contractors and depend on client transactions for income. New agents often find themselves under financial pressure, as their effective hourly rate can dip below minimum wage when factoring in unpaid hours spent on prospecting and marketing. Comparisons among different employer types also elucidate this market variability: national franchises typically offer more robust support, often leading to higher potential earnings, while independent or discount brokerages may provide less overhead, influencing pay structures around $40,000 to $80,000 for team-based operations. Real estate professionals in Burlington must therefore navigate an intricate balance between securing benefits and maximizing hourly pay, reminding agents to consider their long-term career goals while negotiating with brokerages.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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