Real Estate Agent Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $44,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $44,828/year (≈ $21.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $45,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Real estate agents in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, are navigating a shifting compensation landscape following the post-2024 NAR commission structure changes. In 2026, the projected median annual salary stands at $44,828, significantly lower than the national median of $53,622, highlighting local market challenges. The salary range for agents in this area varies from $28,455 at the 10th percentile to an upper limit of $69,484 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities. With a unique blend of traditional commission structures beginning to evolve alongside contemporary practices, Cottage Grove's real estate job market is in a transitional period as agents adapt to new compensation dynamics.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,455 | $13.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,870 | $16.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,828 | $21.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,484 | $33.40 |
Median Salary Position
16.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,029 (2026 est.). At $44,828, the local median is 16.4% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $44,828/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $45,419 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -16.40% less |
Real Estate Agents in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $44,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.40% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $45,419.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $44,828 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,906
2025 BLS Actual
$44,166
2026 Current Est.
$44,828
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,998 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,783 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,395 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,106 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,501 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $40,906 (2019) to $44,166 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,595 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $28,455 – $33,870 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,870 – $44,828 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,828 – $57,380 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,380 – $69,484 |
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 Cottage Grove
Across Cottage Grove, only eight real estate agents are currently employed, illustrating a compact local market. The area's cost-of-living index of 98.5 indicates a reasonably affordable environment, which can enhance take-home purchasing power compared to national averages. Among local employers, national franchise firms like Keller Williams and RE/MAX typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed by established local independent brokerages. The disparity between low and high salaries often arises from factors such as commission split rates with brokerages, transaction volume, and the dynamics of working within a team versus independently. With the recent commission reforms, agents looking to maximize their pay should focus on expanding their referral networks and adapting their marketing strategies to capitalize on the evolving landscape in Cottage Grove, MN.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $44,166 for real estate agentsin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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