Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Independence, MO: $20.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Independence, MO runs $20.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,904 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Independence, MO, the real estate agent hourly rate is projected at $20.76 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $25.78. This figure illustrates the financial dynamics for part-time agents working three days a week in various settings, such as brokerage offices and client meetings, where they often balance administrative duties with property tours and closings. With an hourly range spanning from $13.34 for entry-level positions to $32.18 for top earners, it reflects the spectrum of earnings in the local market. Since these hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, they offer a glimpse into the realities faced by both seasoned professionals and newcomers navigating the Missouri real estate scene.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.34 | $106.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.91 | $127.24 |
| Median (P50) | $20.76 | $166.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.57 | $212.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.18 | $257.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $20.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.76/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, MO can expect to earn approximately $43,174 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,908. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $830.27 | $3,598 | $43,174 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $498.16 | $2,159 | $25,904 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $332.11 | $1,439 | $17,270 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Independence) | $20.76 |
| 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 Independence, MO earn a median of $43,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.48% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 2.10% above the Missouri state average of $42,286.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.76/hr = $25,904/year (purchasing power: $28,911).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,174/year (purchasing power: $48,185).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Independence grew 8.0% from $18.94/hr (2019) to $20.45/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.07/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 Independence 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 Independence
Looking at the earning potential in more detail, a part-time real estate agent in Independence working 24 hours a week can anticipate a significant difference in annual take-home pay compared to a full-time counterpart. Because real estate positions are largely commission-based, many agents operate as independent contractors on 1099s, with a per-diem mindset being quite rare in this field. New agents, particularly in their first couple of years, may find their effective hourly wages even dip below minimum wage after accounting for unpaid prospecting efforts. Companies vary widely in compensation structures; agents at national franchises can expect base salaries with commission splits, while independent or fee-based brokerages may offer lower hourly income but with benefits. The recent 2024 NAR commission settlement may lead to shifts in how agents negotiate their hourly pay structure, emphasizing the need for clarity and strategy in discussions with potential employers in Independence.
More salary data for Independence, MO:
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 Independence. 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 Independence 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