Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Sumter, SC: $22.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Sumter, SC runs $22.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,726 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Sumter's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,033 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

A real estate agent in Sumter, South Carolina, earns a median hourly rate of $22.46, which is notably lower than the national median of $25.78. This range creates unique dynamics for part-time agents, especially those working three days a week, as they may find a work-life balance while still generating income through traditional showings, open houses, and contract negotiations. The hourly pay scale spans from $14.79 for entry-level positions to $34.81 for experienced agents at the upper end of the market. With a varied landscape that includes brokerage office settings and on-the-go work from properties, agents can experience different environments, each impacting their potential earnings based on client interactions and market demands.
About the Sumter Market
Salary estimated from South 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) | $14.79 | $118.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.37 | $138.93 |
| Median (P50) | $22.46 | $179.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.75 | $230.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.81 | $278.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sumter
Based on $22.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.46/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sumter, SC can expect to earn approximately $46,721 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,954. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sumter.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sumter
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $898.48 | $3,893 | $46,721 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $539.09 | $2,336 | $28,033 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.39 | $1,557 | $18,688 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Sumter) | $22.46 |
| 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 Sumter, SC earn a median of $46,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $49,081.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.46/hr = $28,033/year (purchasing power: $30,637).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,721/year (purchasing power: $51,061).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Sumter grew 46.2% from $15.14/hr (2019) to $22.13/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.80/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 Sumter 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 Sumter
Working part-time as a real estate agent pays differently compared to full-time positions in Sumter, where a three-day workload translating into 24 hours weekly could yield a lower annual income than expected. Given the commission-based nature of the profession, per diem real estate agent pay in Sumter is rare, with most agents classified as 1099 independent contractors earning through commissions rather than hourly wages. High-performing agents can expect to see hourly equivalents in the range of $100 to $300 based on commission structures. Many newer agents experience compensation that often falls beneath minimum wage, especially when factoring in unpaid prospecting time. Brokerages vary in their compensation structures; national franchises may offer more stability with base salaries and commission splits, while independent firms may allow for greater flexibility. Some agents opt for lower hourly rates for the stability of benefits, prompting considerations on how to navigate negotiations effectively within the local market.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
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 Sumter. 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 Sumter 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