Real Estate Agent Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $46,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $46,168/year (≈ $22.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $51,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Real estate agents in Marshalltown, IA, are forecasted to earn a median annual salary of $46,168 in 2026, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the real estate market following the post-2024 NAR settlement. This salary places local agents approximately 13.90% below the national median of $53,622, with earnings ranging from $30,401 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $71,561 at the upper end (90th percentile). As these estimates are drawn from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, they portray a challenging yet potentially rewarding environment for real estate professionals in the area, particularly in light of the recent changes in commission structures affecting compensation throughout the boutique and franchise sectors.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,401 | $14.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,666 | $16.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,168 | $22.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,095 | $28.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,561 | $34.41 |
Median Salary Position
13.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,160 (2026 est.). At $46,168, the local median is 13.9% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marshalltown Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $46,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $48,496 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -13.90% less |
Real Estate Agents in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $46,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $48,496.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown 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.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $46,168 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,071 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,128
2025 BLS Actual
$45,486
2026 Current Est.
$46,168
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,128 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,223 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,032 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $42,128 (2019) to $45,486 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,733 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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) | $30,401 – $34,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,666 – $46,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,168 – $59,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,095 – $71,561 |
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 Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, only eight licensed real estate agents are contributing to the market, suggesting a tight labor pool that might help drive competition for listings and sales. The cost of living index for the area sits at 90.4, indicating it is slightly below the national average, which influences take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Although national franchise brokerages often provide the highest salaries due to their extensive marketing resources and brand recognition, local independent brokerages also create significant opportunities through personalized client relationships. The spread between salaries is influenced by factors such as transaction volume, average sale prices, brokerage commission splits, and team structures. Agents seeking to maximize their earnings should consider focusing on specialization in higher-end or commercial properties, building a strong referral network, and adapting to the new commission landscape while also evaluating whether to operate within a team environment or as a solo agent.
More salary data for Marshalltown, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real estate agents make in Marshalltown, IA in 2026?
Is Marshalltown, IA a good place to work as a real estate agent?
Can real estate agents make $100K in Marshalltown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted real estate agent salary in Marshalltown?
How much does a real estate agent make per hour in Marshalltown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 $45,486 for real estate agentsin the Marshalltown 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 Marshalltown 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