Real Estate Agent Salary in Ithaca, NY: $88,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Ithaca, NY earns a median $88,319/year (≈ $42.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $76,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The real estate market in Ithaca, NY, is witnessing a significant transformation in 2026, with local salaries projected to reflect the adjustments from the post-2024 NAR commission settlement structure. Agents can expect a median annual salary of $88,319, a figure that notably exceeds the national median of $53,622 by a substantial margin of 64.71%. Salary ranges further demonstrate this market's variability, with entry-level agents likely earning around $55,815 and the top performers reaching up to $136,895 annually. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors, suggesting that agents in this area can capitalize on unique opportunities despite national trends. Given the competitive landscape, understanding local dynamics and effectively adapting strategies is essential for success in Ithaca's real estate sector.
About the Ithaca Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,815 | $26.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,548 | $31.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,319 | $42.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,049 | $54.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,895 | $65.81 |
Median Salary Position
64.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,080 (2026 est.). At $88,319, the local median is 64.71% above the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ithaca Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $88,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $89,664 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $53,622 | +64.71% more |
Real Estate Agents in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $88,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 64.71% higher than the national median of $53,622 and 1.50% below the New York state average of $89,664.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,319 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,203 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,590
2025 BLS Actual
$87,014
2026 Current Est.
$88,319
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,772 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,489 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,014 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $80,590 (2019) to $87,014 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,054 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $55,815 – $66,548 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,548 – $88,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,319 – $113,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,049 – $136,895 |
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 Ithaca
In Ithaca, the job market for real estate agents comprises just six professionals currently active, which highlights not only a niche environment but also the potential for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 115.9, agents must carefully consider how living expenses impact their take-home pay and purchasing power. Among various employers, national franchise brokerages like Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker typically offer the most robust compensation packages, particularly in high-volume sales environments. Factors driving income differences include transaction volume, average sale prices, commission structures, and agent specialization—indeed, luxury and commercial properties generally yield higher returns than standard residential sales. Understanding these nuances is vital for agents looking to maximize earnings in Ithaca; diversifying service offerings, building a referral network, and strategically splitting commission arrangements can empower agents to thrive in a competitive local market while navigating the implications of recent industry changes.
More salary data for Ithaca, 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 $87,014 for real estate agentsin the Ithaca 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 Ithaca 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