Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $22.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in West Des Moines, IA runs $22.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,370 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,425 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Des Moines, Iowa, the real estate agent hourly pay is projected to be $22.78 for 2026, which is notably below the national hourly median of $25.78. This figure reflects the unique working conditions of real estate professionals who often operate either part-time or per-diem, giving them flexibility to schedule appointments, conduct property tours, and negotiate at closing tables both in person and remotely. Within this hourly range, new agents starting at about $14.74 typically earn close to the minimum wage when considering the unpaid hours spent on prospecting and client acquisition. Conversely, experienced agents can approach hourly earnings up to $35.30, especially those positioned within higher-end markets or luxury segments. It's essential to recognize that these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary figures.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $14.74 | $117.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.98 | $135.85 |
| Median (P50) | $22.78 | $182.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.15 | $233.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.30 | $282.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $22.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.78/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $47,375 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,332. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $911.06 | $3,948 | $47,375 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.64 | $2,369 | $28,425 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.43 | $1,579 | $18,950 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (West Des Moines) | $22.78 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $47,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 2.30% below the Iowa state average of $48,485.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.78/hr = $28,425/year (purchasing power: $31,444).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,375/year (purchasing power: $52,406).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in West Des Moines grew 8.0% from $20.78/hr (2019) to $22.44/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.12/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
Within the context of West Des Moines real estate, part-time agents working three days a week could realistically expect annual earnings reflecting their limited schedules—potentially translating into around $26,447 based on 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate. In contrast, full-time agents can maximize earnings significantly by capitalizing on commission splits, which, following the recent NAR commission settlement, may involve adjusting how commissions are allocated. Per diem work is less common for real estate agents, as most operate on commission models, yet top producers may see hourly equivalents reaching $100 to $300. Different types of brokerages—be it national franchises, local independents, or discount firms—also influence hourly pay dynamics, with those associated with larger firms often having structured support and benefits. As agents negotiate their hourly pay, they must weigh job security from traditional brokerages against the potentially higher rates available through independent or commission-based work, crafting a balance that suits their professional goals.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
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 West Des Moines. 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 West Des Moines 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