Real Estate Agent Salary in Champaign, IL: $38,793 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Champaign, IL earns a median $38,793/year (≈ $18.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $41,846 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in Champaign, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $38,793, which reflects a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $53,622. The salary range for real estate agent pay in Champaign IL spans from $31,668 at the 10th percentile to as high as $97,410 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data based on 2025 figures, indicating some challenges within the local market, particularly following the post-2024 NAR commission structure changes, which have altered commission dynamics significantly. In this evolving market environment, the job opportunities and earning potential for real estate professionals will depend considerably upon adapting to new compensation models while navigating local buyer and seller expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,668 | $15.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,693 | $16.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,793 | $18.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,241 | $28.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,410 | $46.83 |
Median Salary Position
27.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,742 (2026 est.). At $38,793, the local median is 27.65% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Champaign Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Champaign median: $38,793/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $46,627 | -16.80% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -27.65% less |
Real Estate Agents in Champaign, IL earn a median of $38,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.65% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 16.80% below the Illinois state average of $46,627.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign has a cost of living 7.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.704 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $38,793 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,846 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,790
2025 BLS Actual
$38,220
2026 Current Est.
$38,793
2019–2027 Growth
+7.0%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,793 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,375 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 3.9% from $36,790 (2019) to $38,220 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,585 (7.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,668 – $34,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,693 – $38,793 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,793 – $58,241 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,241 – $97,410 |
REA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual real estate agent compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Real Estate Agent Job Market in Champaign
With approximately 130 real estate agents employed in Champaign, the local job market remains competitive yet offers room for growth, especially with a cost-of-living index of 92.704, lower than the national average. This index indicates that while the salary figures may be modest when compared to national standards, agents in Champaign have greater purchasing power relative to the local economy. National franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX tend to offer more competitive pay, but local independent brokerages and specialized luxury firms can also provide strong compensation, particularly in high-value transactions. The gap between lower and upper earnings is influenced by factors such as transaction volumes, commission splits, and the agents' market specialization. To maximize earnings, agents should focus on building a referral network, considering team-based structures for increased volume, and staying informed about the latest commission practices post-2024 settlement. Understanding these dynamics will be essential as agents navigate the local real estate market in Champaign.
More salary data for Champaign, IL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $38,220 for real estate agentsin the Champaign metropolitan area. A 1.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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