Real Estate Agent Salary in Mason City, IA: $45,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Mason City, IA earns a median $45,893/year (≈ $22.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $50,767 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Mason City, IA, the average annual income for a real estate agent is projected to be $45,893 in 2026. This figure, derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for regional price parities, reflects the adjustments in commission structures following the 2024 NAR settlement, which significantly changed how commissions are earned in the industry. Real estate agent salaries in this area range from as low as $29,778 at the 10th percentile to as high as $71,134 at the 90th percentile. With local salaries trailing the national median of $53,622 by nearly 14.41%, the earning potential for real estate agents in Mason City presents a unique landscape shaped by both market conditions and structural shifts in commission dynamics.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,778 | $14.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,154 | $16.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,893 | $22.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,743 | $28.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,134 | $34.20 |
Median Salary Position
14.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,356 (2026 est.). At $45,893, the local median is 14.41% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Mason City median: $45,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $48,462 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -14.41% less |
Real Estate Agents in Mason City, IA earn a median of $45,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.41% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $48,462.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $45,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,767 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,877
2025 BLS Actual
$45,215
2026 Current Est.
$45,893
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,877 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,372 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,776 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,473 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,215 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $41,877 (2019) to $45,215 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,705 (11.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $29,778 – $35,154 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,154 – $45,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,893 – $58,743 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,743 – $71,134 |
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 Mason City
With only four real estate agents currently employed in the region, the job market for real estate in Mason City appears somewhat limited. However, the cost of living index at 90.4 suggests that agents can maintain a reasonable purchasing power despite the salary range. Local franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX tend to offer competitive compensation packages, often pushing earnings higher when compared to independent brokerages. The disparity in income across the board is driven by various factors, such as transaction volume, average home sales prices, commission splits with brokerages, and agent specialization. To maximize earnings in Mason City, agents might consider joining a team within a franchise or focusing on higher-value properties, as these strategies can significantly impact their overall financial outcomes amidst the ongoing evolution of commission structures.Post-2024, adopting a proactive approach to networking and leveraging referral networks will also be essential for capitalizing on opportunities in this changing market.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $45,215 for real estate agentsin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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