Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $24.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Cary, NC runs $24.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,478 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,287 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cary, North Carolina, real estate agents can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $24.27, which is slightly lower than the national median of $25.78. This rate reflects the flexible work structure typical in the profession, making it particularly relevant for part-time agents working three days a week or those seeking per-diem opportunities. In this role, agents might spend time working from brokerage offices, touring properties with clients, or conducting listing presentations. The pay range for agents in Cary is significant, spanning from $15.68 for those in the earliest stages of their careers (P10) to as much as $37.62 for top earners (P90), illustrating a robust potential for income based on experience and performance. These figures are all approximated from annual salary data to provide a clearer picture of hourly gains.
About the Cary 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) | $15.68 | $125.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.69 | $149.49 |
| Median (P50) | $24.27 | $194.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.06 | $248.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.62 | $300.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $24.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.27/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $50,479 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,122. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $970.75 | $4,207 | $50,479 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.45 | $2,524 | $30,287 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.30 | $1,683 | $20,192 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Cary) | $24.27 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $50,478 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.80% above the North Carolina state average of $48,166.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.27/hr = $30,287/year (purchasing power: $32,358).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,479/year (purchasing power: $53,930).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Cary (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 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Cary grew 8.0% from $22.14/hr (2019) to $23.91/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.63/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 Cary 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 Cary
Examining the earning dynamics for part-time real estate agents reveals that those working three days a week for 24 hours can anticipate annual earnings that differ significantly from their full-time counterparts. The typical structure in this sector is largely commission-based, meaning that a per diem approach is seldom seen; instead, per diem real estate agent pay in Cary aligns more closely with commission splits from closed deals. For example, agents that are in the top echelons of productivity may realize hourly equivalents ranging from $100 to $300, while those just starting out often find themselves earning under minimum wage when accounting for essential activities like prospecting, which are typically unpaid. Furthermore, the hourly rates seen across various employer types can vary widely, with national franchise brokerages and independent firms offering different structures, benefits, and salary expectations. Many agents must weigh the trade-offs between earning higher hourly rates without health benefits versus lower rates accompanied by comprehensive insurance options. For those looking to negotiate their pay, understanding Cary's market demands and the evolving commission structure post-2024 will be critical for aligning expectations and achieving financial success in this competitive field.
More salary data for Cary, 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 Cary. 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 Cary 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