Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $22.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $22.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,083 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Council Bluffs, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $22.50, which is notably lower than the national median of $25.78. This difference suggests that agents in this area may have to optimize their schedules, particularly if working part-time or per-diem. For instance, a part-time agent working three days a week could expect to bring home around $26,250 annually based solely on this hourly wage. The hourly pay range for agents in the area spans from $14.06 for entry-level positions to $34.89 for top earners, shaping their experiences whether working from brokerage offices, showing properties, or closing transactions at title companies. These estimates are derived from projected annual salaries, indicating both the opportunities and financial challenges faced by real estate professionals in Council Bluffs.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $14.06 | $112.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.96 | $135.69 |
| Median (P50) | $22.50 | $180.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.81 | $230.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.89 | $279.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $22.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.50/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $46,805 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,003. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $900.10 | $3,900 | $46,805 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $540.06 | $2,340 | $28,083 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.04 | $1,560 | $18,722 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Council Bluffs) | $22.50 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $46,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $48,460.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.50/hr = $28,083/year (purchasing power: $31,065).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,805/year (purchasing power: $51,776).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Council Bluffs grew 8.0% from $20.53/hr (2019) to $22.17/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.84/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
While the hourly pay can provide insight into earning potential, part-time agents might find their financial situation less rosy than full-time colleagues. A real estate agent working 24 hours a week at that hourly rate would gross less than $30,000 annually, showcasing the push and pull of choosing between part-time flexibility and full-time income potential. The industry’s commission-based structure predominantly defines this profession, leading to variability in earnings. Some top producers can command significantly higher hourly equivalents, ranging from $100 to $300 when factoring in performance bonuses and commissions. Moreover, variations across employer types, such as national franchises and local independent brokerages, can mean different pay scales and benefits packages. For instance, agents who prioritize health insurance might accept lower hourly wages, while those in teams often benefit from established markets but may also share commission splits. Freelancers navigating this landscape must typically negotiate more effectively, keeping in mind that every agent isn't guaranteed a steady income, particularly in the early years of their career.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Career Resources
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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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