Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $22.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Hickory, NC runs $22.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,111 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,261 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, a real estate agent’s hourly pay is projected to be $22.64 in 2026. This figure sits below the national median hourly rate of $25.78, highlighting the local market's unique circumstances and cost structure. For part-time agents working three days a week, this rate translates to about 24 hours of work weekly, providing a modest income for those balancing other commitments. Typical settings for agents in this field include brokerage offices for administrative tasks, property tours with clients, presentations at sellers' homes, and activities at closing tables or remote locations. The hourly rate can vary widely from $14.04 for entry-level agents to as much as $35.11 for more experienced professionals, indicating the diverse earning potential across different levels of expertise and success.
About the Hickory 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) | $14.04 | $112.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.86 | $134.87 |
| Median (P50) | $22.64 | $181.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.99 | $231.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.11 | $280.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $22.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.64/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $47,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,174. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $905.79 | $3,925 | $47,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.47 | $2,355 | $28,261 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.31 | $1,570 | $18,840 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Hickory) | $22.64 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $47,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.14% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 2.20% below the North Carolina state average of $48,171.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.64/hr = $28,261/year (purchasing power: $30,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,101/year (purchasing power: $50,321).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Hickory grew -5.2% from $23.53/hr (2019) to $22.31/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.98/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
Further examining the Hickory market reveals varied dynamics, especially for part-time positions. An agent working three days a week would earn $27,252 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who can pursue robust earning potential through commissions. As the industry remains largely commission-based, per diem arrangements and agency roles are infrequent; rather, agents often prefer 1099 setups. For top-performing agents, hourly earnings can significantly climb, ranging from $100 to $300, based on commission splits, while new agents might find their effective pay dropping below minimum wage after accounting for unpaid work like prospecting. The range of employer types, from major national franchises to local independents and discount brokerages, further complicates this. Additionally, many can find themselves choosing between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher rates devoid of such perks. Practical negotiation tactics could make a marked difference in outcomes, particularly given the rapid changes in commission structures following the 2024 NAR settlement.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 Hickory. 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 Hickory 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