Real Estate Agent Salary in Joliet, IL: $46,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Joliet, IL earns a median $46,319/year (≈ $22.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $47,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For real estate agents in Joliet, Illinois, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $46,319, reflecting a shift in compensation that is about 13.62% lower than the national median of $53,622. Salaries in this sector range widely, from approximately $29,139 at the lower end (P10) to around $71,794 for the top earners (P90). These projections, which are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, illustrate the dynamic nature of the real estate market and the potential impact of career structure—whether agents operate independently, as part of a team, or within commercial brokerage settings. As the job market in Joliet evolves, it's clear that agents dedicated to teamwork or specialized services may yield significantly different income opportunities compared to solo practitioners.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,139 | $14.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,021 | $16.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,319 | $22.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,288 | $28.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,794 | $34.52 |
Median Salary Position
13.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,655 (2026 est.). At $46,319, the local median is 13.62% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Joliet median: $46,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $46,598 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -13.62% less |
Real Estate Agents in Joliet, IL earn a median of $46,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.62% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $46,598.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $46,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,265
2025 BLS Actual
$45,634
2026 Current Est.
$46,319
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,756 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,172 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,904 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,603 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,634 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,013 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $42,265 (2019) to $45,634 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,748 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $29,139 – $35,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,021 – $46,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,319 – $59,288 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,288 – $71,794 |
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 Joliet
The local job market for real estate agents in Joliet employs around 25 professionals, forecasting a stable yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, agents here face a relatively lower cost of living compared to the national average, potentially enhancing take-home pay. Among the various employers, national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX tend to offer higher compensation than local independent firms and fee-based brokerages. Factors influencing earnings include transaction volume, average sale price, and the structure of commission splits with brokerages. The spread between lower and higher salaries results from market dynamics, including the recent impacts of the post-2024 NAR settlement, which changes traditional commission structures. For agents looking to maximize their earnings in Joliet, aligning with high-producing teams, focusing on niche markets, and maintaining a robust referral network can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $45,634 for real estate agentsin the Joliet 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
Salary data for Joliet 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