Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $35.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a real estate agent working in Bellingham, WA runs $35.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,090 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,854 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, real estate agents earn a median hourly rate of $35.14, significantly above the national median of $25.78. This competitive compensation reflects the area's distinct real estate market and the demands on agents who frequently engage in client property tours, listing presentations, and closing meetings. This hourly compensation allows for flexibility, making it possible for many to work part-time or on a per-diem basis, balancing between brokerage office tasks and remote duties. New agents can expect to start at an hourly rate around $23.33, while those at the upper end of the spectrum can earn as much as $55.70 per hour, depending on experience and commission structures within various brokerage settings.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.33 | $186.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.40 | $227.20 |
| Median (P50) | $35.14 | $281.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.94 | $383.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.70 | $445.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $35.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.14/hr, a real estate agent working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $73,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,167. With a cost-of-living index of 103.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,405.57 | $6,091 | $73,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $843.34 | $3,654 | $43,854 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $562.23 | $2,436 | $29,236 |
Compare REA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Agent (Bellingham) | $35.14 |
| 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 Bellingham, WA earn a median of $73,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.31% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 1.70% below the Washington state average of $74,354.
Real Estate Agent Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.14/hr = $43,854/year (purchasing power: $42,439).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,090/year (purchasing power: $70,732).
CoL index: 103.334 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for real estate agents in Bellingham grew 46.1% from $23.69/hr (2019) to $34.62/hr (2025). At a 1.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.67/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 Bellingham 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 Bellingham
Analyzing the earning potential of a part-time real estate agent working three days a week reveals fascinating insights into annual income. For example, working 24 hours weekly, these agents can gross about $43,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who typically accumulate higher earnings through commission-heavy structures. Since most real estate transactions are commission-based, agents must navigate the complexities of earning solely through sales activity, making hourly work somewhat atypical. This earns top producers an effective hourly pay of $100 to $300, while entry-level agents may struggle to break even when factoring in unpaid prospecting time. Variations in hourly rates across different brokerage types, such as national franchises versus local independents and luxury firms, further illustrate the market’s diversity. Furthermore, some agents opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, a trade-off that influences their choice of employers. In Bellingham's evolving real estate market, understanding these dynamics is crucial for agents looking to maximize their earnings amidst potential commission splits following the 2024 NAR settlement. Negotiation skills will be vital in securing favorable terms, especially in a competitive landscape where many agents operate as independent contractors.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 Bellingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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