Real Estate Agent Salary in Cortland, NY: $82,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Cortland, NY earns a median $82,535/year (≈ $39.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $71,212 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Cortland, NY offers an attractive median annual salary of $82,535 for real estate agents, significantly outpacing the national median of $53,622 for 2026. This figure, derived from BLS state-level data, reflects a broad salary range from $55,757 at the 10th percentile to $127,929 at the 90th percentile. Potential earnings vary greatly depending on the agent's structural choice—whether they are operating solo, being part of a team, or engaging in commercial real estate. Agents in team-based settings often benefit from shared resources and higher transaction volumes, which can lead to enhanced earning potential in this small market.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,757 | $26.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,535 | $39.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,644 | $50.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,929 | $61.51 |
Median Salary Position
53.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,172 (2026 est.). At $82,535, the local median is 53.92% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cortland Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Cortland median: $82,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $89,614 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +53.92% more |
Real Estate Agents in Cortland, NY earn a median of $82,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.92% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $89,614.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,535 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,212 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,312
2025 BLS Actual
$81,315
2026 Current Est.
$82,535
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,312 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,481 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,315 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $75,312 (2019) to $81,315 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,461 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $55,757 – $64,580 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,580 – $82,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,535 – $105,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,644 – $127,929 |
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 Cortland
While only four real estate agents are currently employed in Cortland, the local job market is competitive amidst a cost-of-living index of 115.9. This higher-than-average index indicates that agents may face challenges in purchasing power compared to their salary projections. National franchise brokerages tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for agents who prioritize residential markets, while luxury and commercial real estate options generally promise better returns due to larger transactions. Factors such as commission splits with brokerages—including variations from 50/50 to 100% with desk fees—play a significant role in determining agent pay. Additionally, networking within referral networks can enhance income opportunities. To maximize earnings, agents in this unique Cortland market should consider specializing in high-demand areas and refining their negotiation skills, especially in light of the evolving commission structures following the 2024 NAR settlement.
More salary data for Cortland, NY:
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 $81,315 for real estate agentsin the Cortland 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 Cortland 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