Real Estate Agent Salary in Waltham, MA: $90,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Waltham, MA earns a median $90,274/year (≈ $43.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $83,202 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Real estate agents in Waltham, Massachusetts can anticipate a median annual salary of $90,274 in 2026, significantly above the national average of $53,622. The salary range for agents spans from $57,811 at the lower end to $139,925 for those excelling in the market, reflecting the variations in commission structures and sales volume prevalent in this region. Considering that agents may operate as solo practitioners or as part of a team or brokerage, their structural choice plays a pivotal role in their earnings potential. Those affiliated with established national franchises such as Keller Williams or Coldwell Banker may enjoy more lucrative opportunities given the support and resources these firms provide, while independent agents and smaller brokerages can have different earnings trajectories based on their individual strategic approaches to client acquisition and service delivery.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,811 | $27.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,848 | $33.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,274 | $43.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,551 | $55.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,925 | $67.27 |
Median Salary Position
68.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,114 (2026 est.). At $90,274, the local median is 68.35% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Waltham median: $90,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $92,779 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +68.35% more |
Real Estate Agents in Waltham, MA earn a median of $90,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 68.35% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $92,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,274 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,202 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,374
2025 BLS Actual
$88,940
2026 Current Est.
$90,274
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,374 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,559 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,381 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,628 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $82,374 (2019) to $88,940 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,628 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,254 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $57,811 – $68,848 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,848 – $90,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,274 – $115,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,551 – $139,925 |
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 Waltham
Waltham's real estate market is relatively tight, with only 11 real estate agents currently employed in the area. The cost of living index at 108.5 indicates that while earnings can be substantial, the actual purchasing power of agents' salaries may be somewhat constrained by local expenses. High-earning agents typically thrive in environments that support high transaction volume and larger average sales, often benefiting from the referral networks that come with strong brand affiliation or specialized service offerings. As the industry adjusts to the post-2024 National Association of Realtors (NAR) commission structure changes, agents will need to adapt by focusing on high-value transactions or niche markets, such as luxury or commercial real estate which generally yield higher commissions. For those who wish to maximize their gains in Waltham, joining a strong team or utilizing a proven brokerage’s resources may provide the best pathway to increase their overall earnings.
More salary data for Waltham, 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 $88,940 for real estate agentsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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