Real Estate Agent Salary in Marion, IA: $47,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Marion, IA earns a median $47,665/year (≈ $22.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $52,727 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Marion, Iowa, the projected annual compensation for real estate agents in 2026 is estimated at $47,665, which reflects some of the disparities between local and national figures—as the national median for the same year is $53,622. The salary range is significant, with entry-level positions starting around $29,909 and top earners making approximately $73,882. These figures emerge from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variances, highlighting how local economic conditions can influence overall earnings. Given the limited transaction volume in Marion compared to larger metropolitan areas, the compensation reflects the competitive dynamics of the local job market, where six real estate agents are currently employed.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,909 | $14.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,795 | $17.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,665 | $22.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,012 | $29.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,882 | $35.52 |
Median Salary Position
11.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,973 (2026 est.). At $47,665, the local median is 11.11% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Marion median: $47,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $48,490 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -11.11% less |
Real Estate Agents in Marion, IA earn a median of $47,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $48,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $47,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,727 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,494
2025 BLS Actual
$46,961
2026 Current Est.
$47,665
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,592 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,268 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,380 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $43,494 (2019) to $46,961 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,380 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,886 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $29,909 – $35,795 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,795 – $47,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,665 – $61,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,012 – $73,882 |
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 Marion
In this market, the cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating a more affordable environment for residents which can enhance purchasing power overall. Among local employers, national franchise brokerages such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX may offer more structured commission splits and support systems, potentially leading to higher earnings relative to independent or fee-based brokerages. Several factors influence income variation, including transaction volume, commission structures, and agent specialization. With a projected annual growth rate of 1.50%, those in the Marion area seeking to optimize their earnings should consider building referral networks and exploring opportunities within high-demand segments like luxury properties or commercial real estate. Given the upcoming changes in the commission framework post-2024 NAR settlement, strategic positioning within a team environment may increasingly affect long-term income potential for agents in 2026 and beyond.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $46,961 for real estate agentsin the Marion 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 Marion 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