Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $22.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Burlington, NC runs $22.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,186 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,311 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burlington, North Carolina, real estate agents earn a median hourly pay of $22.69, which falls below the national hourly median of $25.78. This discrepancy suggests that for agents in the Burlington area, part-time roles—such as working three days a week—can result in a significantly lower annual income than comparable positions elsewhere in NC or the country. Typically, agents operate from brokerage office desks, conduct property tours, and meet clients for presentations in diverse settings, which can influence their earnings. The hourly range in Burlington starts at $14.68 for entry-level positions and can ascend to $35.16 for those at the top of their game, illustrating the pay discrepancy based on experience and success.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.68 | $117.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.49 | $139.91 |
| Median (P50) | $22.69 | $181.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.04 | $232.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.16 | $281.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $22.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.69/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $47,185 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,222. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $907.41 | $3,932 | $47,185 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $544.45 | $2,359 | $28,311 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.96 | $1,573 | $18,874 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Burlington) | $22.69 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $47,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.00% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $48,149.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.69/hr = $28,311/year (purchasing power: $30,247).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,185/year (purchasing power: $50,412).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Burlington grew 8.0% from $20.70/hr (2019) to $22.35/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.03/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
With a growing trend towards part-time roles in real estate, agents working just 24 hours a week may bring home less than many expect, especially compared to their full-time counterparts. Particularly, the commission model can lead to situations where those new to the field might find their hourly equivalent dipping below minimum wage when factoring in unpaid time spent on prospecting. Per diem positions are rare in this sector; however, top producers can command an hourly equivalent of $100-$300 depending on their sales and negotiation skills, while team buyer’s agents may expect base salaries combined with commission structures. Different employer types affect pay scales in Burlington, where agents might find themselves in franchises such as Keller Williams or local independent brokerages with variable commission splits. Those accepting lower hourly rates sometimes do so for the benefits, including health insurance, which can be a significant trade-off for many in this commission-driven industry. Agents should negotiate effectively, considering both the hourly pay and the additional benefits that may come with different brokerage affiliations.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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