Real Estate Agent Salary in Boston, MA: $99,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Boston, MA earns a median $99,892/year (≈ $48.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Boston's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $92,066 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boston, Massachusetts, the projected real estate agent salary in 2026 stands at $99,892, significantly higher than the national median of $53,622, which indicates a strong local market for real estate professionals. The salary range reflects a diverse spectrum of earnings, with entry-level agents starting around $63,068 and top earners reaching as much as $154,833. This robust compensation can be attributed to the high volume of transactions and elevated property values in the Boston real estate market, where effective hourly compensation is bolstered by lucrative commissions, particularly in the city's competitive sectors. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors and cost of living realities.
About the Boston Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,068 | $30.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,994 | $36.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,892 | $48.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,862 | $61.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,833 | $74.44 |
Median Salary Position
86.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,765 (2026 est.). At $99,892, the local median is 86.29% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Boston median: $99,892/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $92,750 | +7.70% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | +86.29% more |
Real Estate Agents in Boston, MA earn a median of $99,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 86.29% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 7.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $92,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,892 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,066 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,820
2025 BLS Actual
$98,416
2026 Current Est.
$99,892
2019–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,391 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 45.1% from $67,820 (2019) to $98,416 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,391 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,571 (49.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $63,068 – $75,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,994 – $99,892 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,892 – $127,862 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,862 – $154,833 |
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 Boston
Amidst a growing workforce of 174 real estate agents in Boston, the cost of living index of 108.5 suggests that while agents earn substantial salaries, their overall purchasing power may be affected. High-performing firms, such as Keller Williams and Sotheby's International Realty, tend to offer more competitive compensation packages, outperforming local independent brokerages and discount services like Redfin. The spread in earnings is driven by several factors, including commission splits with brokerages, team memberships, and specialization in high-value markets. To maximize pay in Boston's competitive environment, agents should consider aligning with established teams, enhancing their referral networks, and potentially pivoting towards luxury or commercial properties that see higher transaction values. Understanding the recent shifts from the NAR commission structure post-2024 will also be crucial for forward-thinking agents navigating compensation and opportunity in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Boston, 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 $98,416 for real estate agentsin the Boston 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 Boston 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