Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Watertown, SD: $23.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Watertown, SD runs $23.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,848 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,704 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, South Dakota, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $23.00, which falls below the national median of $25.78. This discrepancy may influence those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, as it may limit income potential compared to a full-time commitment. Typically, agents split their work among various environments, including brokerage office desks, property tours, and client meetings, leading to varying levels of income depending on the number of active listings and closings achieved. Entry-level agents might earn closer to $15.28 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $35.66 per hour, reflecting the broad range of experience and expertise within the field.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.28 | $122.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.81 | $142.51 |
| Median (P50) | $23.00 | $184.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.45 | $235.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.66 | $285.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $23.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.00/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, SD can expect to earn approximately $47,840 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,600. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $920.00 | $3,987 | $47,840 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $552.00 | $2,392 | $28,704 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $368.00 | $1,595 | $19,136 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Watertown) | $23.00 |
| 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 Watertown, SD earn a median of $47,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $49,738.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.00/hr = $28,704/year (purchasing power: $30,931).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,840/year (purchasing power: $51,552).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Watertown grew 8.0% from $20.99/hr (2019) to $22.66/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.34/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Exploring the real estate agent hourly pay in Watertown reveals nuanced earning potentials, particularly for those opting for part-time work. A typical 3-day work week at 24 hours yields an annual take-home well below what a full-time agent would earn, potentially making a part-time career less financially viable. The real estate landscape is almost entirely commission-based, with agents classified as 1099 independent contractors, which adds complexity to their income structure. Per diem real estate agent pay in Watertown is rare, with established agents reporting hourly equivalents ranging from $100 to $300, while entry-level agents may find their total earnings precariously low, often dipping below minimum wage when accounting for unpaid prospecting hours. Different brokerage types impact hourly compensation significantly; national franchise agencies may offer more structured salary options alongside commission splits, whereas local independent businesses and discount brokerages can vary widely in their pay structures. Health benefits often influence hourly pay preferences, as agents may choose lower hourly rates with benefits over higher commissions without health insurance. With a shift in commission structures after the 2024 NAR settlement, understanding these dynamics becomes essential for agents navigating their compensation strategies in Watertown's real estate market.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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