Real Estate Agent Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $44,496 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $44,496/year (≈ $21.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $49,221 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, the expected earnings for a real estate agent in 2026 show a median annual salary of $44,496, which is notably lower than the national median of $53,622. Local salaries range from $29,780 for the lowest earners to $68,968 for those at the top of the pay spectrum. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the structural choices agents often face in this market. Whether opting for team memberships or pursuing a solo path influences earning potential significantly, particularly amid the competitive environment shaped by commission structures and local market dynamics. Understanding this landscape is crucial for agents looking to optimize their compensation in Fort Dodge.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,649 | $16.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,496 | $21.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,955 | $27.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,968 | $33.16 |
Median Salary Position
17.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,188 (2026 est.). At $44,496, the local median is 17.02% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $44,496/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $48,470 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -17.02% less |
Real Estate Agents in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $44,496 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.02% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $48,470.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $44,496 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,221 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,602
2025 BLS Actual
$43,838
2026 Current Est.
$44,496
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,693 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,112 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,838 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,496 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,163 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $40,602 (2019) to $43,838 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,561 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $29,780 – $34,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,649 – $44,496 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,496 – $56,955 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,955 – $68,968 |
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 Fort Dodge
The job market for real estate agents in Fort Dodge is characterized by a small pool, with only four agents currently active in the area. Despite the lower-than-national earnings, the cost-of-living index at 90.4 indicates favorable conditions for housing affordability, allowing agents to maximize their take-home pay. Among the local brokerages, national franchise firms like Keller Williams and RE/MAX might typically offer higher earning potential due to greater market visibility and support. Factors driving salary variations include transaction volume, average sales prices, and commission splits with brokerages, especially in the wake of the 2024 NAR commission settlement reform. Agents looking to enhance their earnings should consider aligning with high-performance teams within franchises and focusing on lucrative markets like luxury or commercial real estate, which often benefit from complex transactions and robust referral networks.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $43,838 for real estate agentsin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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