Real Estate Agent Salary in Paducah, KY: $45,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Paducah, KY earns a median $45,514/year (≈ $21.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $50,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Paducah, KY, projects a median annual salary of $45,514 for real estate agents, a figure noticeably lower than the national median of $53,622, reflecting a discrepancy of approximately 15.12%. Local salaries range from $29,820 at the 10th percentile to $70,547 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate the challenges agents may face in a market impacted by the post-2024 NAR settlement, which has reshaped commission structures. This impact affects how real estate professionals structure their deals, necessitating adaptive strategies in compensation expectations and market engagement in Paducah.
About the Paducah Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,820 | $14.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,075 | $16.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,514 | $21.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,257 | $28.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,547 | $33.92 |
Median Salary Position
15.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,727 (2026 est.). At $45,514, the local median is 15.12% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paducah Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Paducah median: $45,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $47,909 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -15.12% less |
Real Estate Agents in Paducah, KY earn a median of $45,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.12% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 5.00% below the Kentucky state average of $47,909.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $45,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,531
2025 BLS Actual
$44,841
2026 Current Est.
$45,514
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,531 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,624 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,422 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,089 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,137 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,196 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $41,531 (2019) to $44,841 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,665 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $29,820 – $35,075 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,075 – $45,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,514 – $58,257 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,257 – $70,547 |
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 Paducah
The job market for real estate agents in Paducah remains modest, with only six agents employed locally. The cost of living index in the area sits at 89.3, suggesting that real estate agent pay in Paducah has a slightly better purchasing power than some other regions. Among the varied employers, national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams or RE/MAX tend to offer higher compensation compared to local independent firms. The differentiation in pay largely stems from transaction volume, average sale price, and the specific commission split agreements that agents have with their brokerages. To maximize earnings, agents should consider aligning themselves with high-performing teams or focusing on lucrative niche markets—such as luxury properties—while being mindful of the evolving commission structures post-settlement. Building a robust referral network can also significantly enhance overall income in a competitive market like Paducah.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can real estate agents make $100K in Paducah?
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Related Pages
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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 $44,841 for real estate agentsin the Paducah 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 Paducah 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