Real Estate Agent Salary in Arlington, MA: $91,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Arlington, MA earns a median $91,389/year (≈ $43.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $84,229 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median real estate agent salary in Arlington, Massachusetts, reaches $91,389, significantly exceeding the national average of $53,622 by over 70%. With a salary range from $57,718 at the 10th percentile to $141,652 at the 90th percentile, these estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, reflect a competitive local market. The post-2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) commission structure changes created a landscape where agents are adapting to new commission allocation models, impacting their potential earnings. As such, the dynamics of how real estate professionals operate in Arlington are likely to evolve, shaping opportunities for both new and seasoned agents.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,718 | $27.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,834 | $33.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,389 | $43.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,978 | $56.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,652 | $68.11 |
Median Salary Position
70.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,934 (2026 est.). At $91,389, the local median is 70.43% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Arlington median: $91,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $92,780 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +70.43% more |
Real Estate Agents in Arlington, MA earn a median of $91,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.43% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $92,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,389 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $84,229 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,391
2025 BLS Actual
$90,038
2026 Current Est.
$91,389
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,391 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,579 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,386 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,543 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,057 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,038 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,759 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $83,391 (2019) to $90,038 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,759 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,368 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $57,718 – $68,834 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,834 – $91,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,389 – $116,978 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,978 – $141,652 |
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 Arlington
The local job market for real estate agents in Arlington employs approximately nine professionals, an indicator of a tightly-knit community with potential for growth. However, the cost of living index stands at 108.5, which suggests that while salaries are comparatively higher, purchasing power may be constricted. Agents working with national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams or Coldwell Banker often earn more than their counterparts at local independent firms. Factors driving disparities in real estate agent pay in Arlington include transaction volumes, average sale prices, and the complexity of the commission structures, especially considering the shift in the NAR settlement model. To maximize earnings in this market, agents should cultivate referral networks, choose their brokerages wisely based on commission splits and training, and consider specializing in higher-value niches or team-based approaches that can enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
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 $90,038 for real estate agentsin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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