Real Estate Agent Salary in Apex, NC: $48,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time real estate agent in Apex, NC earns a median $48,487/year (≈ $23.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 41-9022). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $51,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, real estate agents in Apex, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $48,487, reflecting the adjustments in compensation structures following the 2024 NAR commission settlement. This salary range spans from $29,810 at the 10th percentile to $75,155 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity in earnings based on experience, client base, and market engagement. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional price parity, providing a clear picture of local compensation trends. The competitive landscape for real estate professional services in Apex has evolved, necessitating agents to understand the nuances of the new commission structure while pursuing lucrative opportunities within the market.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,810 | $14.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,895 | $18.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,487 | $23.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,063 | $29.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,155 | $36.13 |
Median Salary Position
9.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the real estate agent salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,345 (2026 est.). At $48,487, the local median is 9.58% below the national median of $53,622.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Real Estate Agent Pay Compares
Apex median: $48,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,150 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $53,622 | -9.58% less |
Real Estate Agents in Apex, NC earn a median of $48,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.58% lower than the national median of $53,622 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $48,150.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A real estate agent earning $48,487 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% 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
$44,244
2025 BLS Actual
$47,770
2026 Current Est.
$48,487
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Salary Trajectory for Real Estate Agents in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,244 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,343 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,099 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,654 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median real estate agent salary grew 8.0% from $44,244 (2019) to $47,770 (2025). At a 1.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,970 (11.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $29,810 – $37,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,895 – $48,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,487 – $62,063 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,063 – $75,155 |
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 Apex
The job market for real estate agents in Apex remains relatively compact, with only 16 real estate agents employed in the area. The cost of living index in Apex stands at 93.6, suggesting that agents can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. For higher earning potential, agents should consider affiliations with national franchise brokerages such as Keller Williams or RE/MAX, which may offer better commission structures compared to local independents or fee-based brokerages like Redfin. The disparity in salaries can also be influenced by transaction volume, average sale price, and the commission split that varies widely across teams and specialties. As agents adjust to the post-2024 commission model, strategies that emphasize building strong referral networks and enhancing personal brands could be crucial in maximizing earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real estate agents make in Apex, NC in 2026?
Is Apex, NC a good place to work as a real estate agent?
Can real estate agents make $100K in Apex?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted real estate agent salary in Apex?
How much does a real estate agent make per hour in Apex?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $47,770 for real estate agentsin the Apex 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 Apex 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