Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Columbus, NE: $22.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Columbus, NE runs $22.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,816 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,488 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Nebraska, a real estate agent's hourly pay is projected to be $22.03 in 2026, which is lower than the national median of $25.78. This difference can impact part-time agents, who may work only three days a week, earning an estimated $1,058.56 across a typical 24-hour workweek. In typical settings, including brokerage office desks, client property tours, and listing presentations, agents can find their roles split between desk work, on-site appointments, and remote tasks. With an hourly range from $15.40 for entry-level agents to $34.14 for top earners, real estate professionals in Columbus must navigate a highly competitive market where the compensation structure remains closely tied to performance and commissions. This reality shapes the income potential and working hours for agents at various stages in their careers.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.40 | $123.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.61 | $140.88 |
| Median (P50) | $22.03 | $176.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.20 | $225.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.14 | $273.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $22.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.03/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, NE can expect to earn approximately $45,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,431. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $881.02 | $3,818 | $45,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $528.61 | $2,291 | $27,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.41 | $1,527 | $18,325 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Columbus) | $22.03 |
| 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 Columbus, NE earn a median of $45,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $49,054.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.03/hr = $27,488/year (purchasing power: $30,041).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,813/year (purchasing power: $50,069).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Columbus grew 8.0% from $20.10/hr (2019) to $21.70/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.36/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
When considering the earning potential for a part-time real estate agent, the difference when compared to full-time positions can be significant. Working only three days per week may yield around $55,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time earnings that can often exceed six figures when commission-based income is factored in. Most agents operate as 1099 independent contractors, meaning that per diem real estate agent pay is less common, and many earn varying amounts through commission splits with their brokers. Entry-level agents might find themselves making less than minimum wage when accounting for hours spent on unpaid prospecting and client outreach, while experienced agents can command hourly equivalent rates between $100 and $300. Hourly variations may also arise based on employer type, including national franchises or independent brokerages. Those in luxury or commercial real estate settings might face different dynamics, particularly post-2024, with a new commission structure following NAR settlements. Thus, negotiating rates and understanding compensation structures is crucial for agents in Columbus, NE, to effectively position themselves in this evolving market.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 Columbus. 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 Columbus 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