Real Estate Agent Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $26,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $26,918/year (≈ $12.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $30,258 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 44.5% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for a real estate agent in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is estimated at $26,918 annually, a stark contrast to the national median of $53,622. This figure falls within a broader salary range, where agents at the lower end can expect around $22,604, while those in the upper echelon could earn upwards of $76,206. These projections stem from official BLS OEWS surveys and reflect shifts within the market following the commission structure changes from the post-2024 NAR settlement, impacting how commissions are structured and paid in real estate transactions. The Cedar Rapids real estate market is relatively competitive, and these salary figures provide an essential insight into the income potential for new and established agents alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,604 | $10.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22,604 | $10.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $26,918 | $12.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,161 | $24.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,206 | $36.64 |
Median Salary Position
49.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,602 (2026 est.). At $26,918, the local median is 49.8% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Cedar Rapids Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $26,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $48,501 | -44.50% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -49.80% less |
Real Estate Agents in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $26,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.80% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 44.50% below the Iowa state average of $48,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $26,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,258 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,100
2025 BLS Actual
$26,520
2026 Current Est.
$26,918
2019–2027 Growth
+-35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,322 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew -37.0% from $42,100 (2019) to $26,520 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $27,322 by 2027 — a total increase of $-14,778 (-35.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $22,604 – $22,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $22,604 – $26,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $26,918 – $50,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,161 – $76,206 |
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 Cedar Rapids
Real estate agents in Cedar Rapids face a unique environment shaped by local demand and an affordable cost of living, with a Cost of Living Index of 88.963. This lower index suggests that take-home pay may stretch further than in other regions, making a real estate agent salary in Cedar Rapids more accommodating in terms of purchasing power. Among local employers, national franchise brokerages like RE/MAX and Keller Williams tend to offer more competitive compensation packages, buoyed by higher transaction volumes and sizable referral networks. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to several factors, including the commission split with brokerages, team memberships that influence earnings based on team dynamics, and the specialty of the agent, be it luxury or commercial real estate. To maximize pay in Cedar Rapids, agents should actively build their referral networks and consider joining established teams or aligning with brokerages that offer favorable commission arrangements.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
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 $26,520 for real estate agentsin the Cedar Rapids 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