Real Estate Agent Salary in Wheeling, IL: $45,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Wheeling, IL earns a median $45,508/year (≈ $21.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $46,867 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for real estate agents in 2026 is $45,508, indicating a notable contrast to the national median of $53,622. This salary falls within a range from $30,386 at the lower end (P10) to $70,536 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which reflects the economic context in Wheeling, where the cost of living is slightly below the national average. Additionally, the structure of the real estate profession in the area, whether agents work solo or as part of a team or brokerage, has significant implications for salary potential. This complexity in the market suggests that strategic choices about how one operates can directly influence earning capabilities in Wheeling.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,386 | $14.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,527 | $17.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,508 | $21.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,250 | $28.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,536 | $33.91 |
Median Salary Position
15.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,150 (2026 est.). At $45,508, the local median is 15.13% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $45,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $46,627 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -15.13% less |
Real Estate Agents in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $45,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $46,627.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $45,508 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,867 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,525
2025 BLS Actual
$44,835
2026 Current Est.
$45,508
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,525 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,024 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,416 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,454 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,190 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $41,525 (2019) to $44,835 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,190 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,665 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $30,386 – $35,527 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,527 – $45,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,508 – $58,250 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,250 – $70,536 |
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 Wheeling
With only six real estate agents currently employed in Wheeling, the job market remains relatively small, but the existing agents face a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which impacts real purchasing power. Despite the competitive landscape, those affiliated with established franchise brokerages like Keller Williams or RE/MAX are often positioned to earn higher salaries when compared to independent firms or fee-based models like Redfin. The gaps in compensation among agents can arise from various factors, including transaction volumes, commission splits with brokerages, and affiliations with specialty firms focusing on luxury or commercial real estate. To maximize income in Wheeling, real estate agents should consider joining successful teams within these brokerage structures, as well as focusing on building a robust referral network. This approach may prove essential in navigating the changing commission structures following the post-2024 NAR settlement, which requires agents to think strategically about their business models to remain competitive.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $44,835 for real estate agentsin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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