Real Estate Agent Salary in Laurel, MS: $42,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Laurel, MS earns a median $42,500/year (≈ $20.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $49,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

As of 2026, real estate agents in Laurel, Mississippi, can anticipate a median annual compensation of $42,500, significantly trailing behind the national median of $53,622. The salary range for local agents spans from $29,024 at the 10th percentile to $65,876 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse earning potential based largely on individual performance and market factors. These figures are shaped by both the volume of real estate transactions and average property prices in the region, which directly influence the effective hourly compensation—projected at $20.43—fielding a mix of commission rates and sales strategy. With competition for listings intensified by the recent changes in commission structures following the NAR settlement, agents in Laurel must adapt to a market that increasingly rewards high-volume producers with favorable compensation packages.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,024 | $13.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,482 | $16.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,400 | $26.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,876 | $31.67 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,852 (2026 est.). At $42,500, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Laurel median: $42,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $45,946 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | -20.74% less |
Real Estate Agents in Laurel, MS earn a median of $42,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $45,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel 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.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $42,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,781
2025 BLS Actual
$41,872
2026 Current Est.
$42,500
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,781 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,313 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,037 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,667 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,872 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $38,781 (2019) to $41,872 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,357 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $29,024 – $33,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,482 – $42,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,500 – $54,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,400 – $65,876 |
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 Laurel
The job market for real estate agents in Laurel remains modest, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index sits at 85.7, suggesting a fairly affordable lifestyle that can offset lower median wages compared to national standards. High-paying opportunities may rest within national franchises such as Keller Williams or RE/MAX, but local independent brokerages and team-based operations also present competitive pay scenarios, particularly for agents specializing in high-demand niches like luxury properties. The wage disparity here often stems from variations in transaction volume, negotiation on commission splits, and whether agents are part of a productive team versus working solo. As the market evolves in the wake of regulatory changes, agents might find success by focusing on building referral networks, enhancing their specialization, and maintaining adaptability to drive sales effectively in Laurel, MS.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 $41,872 for real estate agentsin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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