Real Estate Agent Salary in Columbus, MS: $43,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Columbus, MS earns a median $43,213/year (≈ $20.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $50,424 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Mississippi, the projected annual earnings for real estate agents in 2026 reflect a local median salary of $43,213, which represents a significant gap of 19.41% compared to the national median of $53,622. With a salary range that spans from $27,045 at the lower end to $66,980 at the higher end, these figures indicate a diverse earnings potential within the market. Real estate professionals here face a unique job structure dynamics depending on whether they operate as solo agents, belong to a team, or work as commercial brokers. For those contemplating a career in real estate in Columbus, understanding these structural choices and their implications on pay will be key to achieving success in this competitive environment.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,045 | $13.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,924 | $16.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,213 | $20.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,312 | $26.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,980 | $32.21 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,935 (2026 est.). At $43,213, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Columbus median: $43,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $45,971 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -19.41% less |
Real Estate Agents in Columbus, MS earn a median of $43,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $45,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $43,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,424 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,431
2025 BLS Actual
$42,574
2026 Current Est.
$43,213
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,431 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,956 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,277 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,759 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $39,431 (2019) to $42,574 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,430 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $27,045 – $34,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,924 – $43,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,213 – $55,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,312 – $66,980 |
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 Columbus
The local job market in Columbus features a small but focused group of real estate agents, with only six individuals actively employed in the profession. This limited pool underscores the market's competitive nature, where the cost of living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that agents may enjoy greater purchasing power compared to many areas in the nation. National franchise brokerages, such as Keller Williams and RE/MAX, typically offer the highest pay structures, as their recognized brands often translate to higher transaction volumes. Factors such as commission split arrangements, team memberships, and specialization in luxury or commercial real estate all contribute to the disparity between lower and higher earners. To maximize their real estate agent pay in Columbus, professionals should focus on building a robust referral network and adapting their commission strategies to the evolving landscape shaped by the post-2024 NAR commission settlement, which is reshaping the compensation structure within the industry.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real estate agents make in Columbus, MS in 2026?
Is Columbus, MS a good place to work as a real estate agent?
Can real estate agents make $100K in Columbus?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted real estate agent salary in Columbus?
How much does a real estate agent make per hour in Columbus?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $42,574 for real estate agentsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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