Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in East Lansing, MI: $24.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in East Lansing, MI runs $24.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,453 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against East Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,275 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Real estate agents in East Lansing, MI, earn a median hourly rate of $24.26, which falls below the national median of $25.78. This hourly rate is significant for both part-time workers and those engaged in per-diem arrangements, as it reflects the income potential for agents who may work only three days a week. In typical settings—such as time spent at a brokerage office, property tours, and client meetings—this translates to flexible work schedules that can accommodate various lifestyles. The hourly rates for real estate professionals in East Lansing range from $16.36 for entry-level agents at the 10th percentile to $37.60 for top earners at the 90th percentile. These figures, estimated from annual salary data, offer a comprehensive overview of what agents may expect in terms of compensation for their time and efforts in the real estate market.
About the East Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.36 | $130.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.04 | $152.33 |
| Median (P50) | $24.26 | $194.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.05 | $248.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.60 | $300.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Lansing
Based on $24.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.26/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $50,458 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,110. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $970.34 | $4,205 | $50,458 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.20 | $2,523 | $30,275 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.14 | $1,682 | $20,183 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (East Lansing) | $24.26 |
| 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 East Lansing, MI earn a median of $50,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 13.90% below the Michigan state average of $58,598.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.26/hr = $30,275/year (purchasing power: $32,483).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,458/year (purchasing power: $54,139).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in East Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in East Lansing grew 8.0% from $22.14/hr (2019) to $23.90/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.62/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 East Lansing 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 East Lansing
Exploring part-time potential, a real estate agent working three days a week (24 hours) could realistically take home around $24,000 annually if working for the median hourly rate. This figure can pale in comparison to any full-time income, highlighting the challenges in a commission-driven industry where many agents function as 1099 independent contractors. Considerations such as agency relationships significantly impact pay; for instance, those affiliated with luxury or commercial real estate might earn hourly equivalents of $100 to $300 for their services, while newer agents often struggle to cover expenses with base earnings below minimum wage when unpaid prospecting is factored in. Moreover, agents working under franchise brokerages typically enjoy higher base salaries compared to those in independent or discount firms. The push and pull of hourly pay versus benefits also influences many agents’ decisions, as some may prioritize health insurance over higher pay that doesn't include benefits. Negotiating for a better hourly rate often requires knowledge of local market demands and competitive benchmarks when discussing potential placements with firms in East Lansing.
More salary data for East Lansing, MI:
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 East Lansing. 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 East Lansing 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