Real Estate Agent Salary in Salem, MA: $89,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Salem, MA earns a median $89,387/year (≈ $42.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Salem's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $82,384 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in Salem, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $89,387, which significantly exceeds the national median of $53,622, marking a 66.70% advantage. The salary range for agents in the area is projected to span from $60,452 at the 10th percentile to $138,550 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse structure within the real estate market. Salary outcomes can vary widely based on whether agents operate independently or as part of a team, as well as the type of brokerage they’re affiliated with—be it a local independent firm or a national franchise. The distinct characteristics of Salem’s job market create opportunities for growth, especially for those who align their business strategies with local conditions.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,452 | $29.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,368 | $33.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,387 | $42.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,415 | $55.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,550 | $66.61 |
Median Salary Position
66.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, MA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,098 (2026 est.). At $89,387, the local median is 66.7% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Salem median: $89,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $92,725 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +66.70% more |
Real Estate Agents in Salem, MA earn a median of $89,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.70% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $92,725.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,387 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,384 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,565
2025 BLS Actual
$88,066
2026 Current Est.
$89,387
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,565 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,748 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,581 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,728 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $81,565 (2019) to $88,066 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,728 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,163 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $60,452 – $70,368 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,368 – $89,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,387 – $114,415 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,415 – $138,550 |
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 Salem
Currently, there are eight real estate agents actively employed in Salem, an indication of a relatively concentrated market. The cost of living in this coastal city is illustrated by a cost-of-living index of 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are higher than national averages, agents must account for elevated living expenses when considering their take-home pay. National franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and RE/MAX typically offer substantial support and resources, which can enhance earning potential, whereas independent firms may present more lucrative commission splits without the overhead. Various factors contribute to the income disparity among agents, including transaction volume, the average sale price of properties, and commission structures influenced by the post-2024 NAR settlement. For agents aiming to maximize their earnings in Salem, focusing on high-value transactions and maintaining strong referral networks can be key strategies in this competitive market.
More salary data for Salem, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $88,066 for real estate agentsin the Salem 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 Salem 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